Subsidiarity in State-Local Relations

In this paper, we build upon earlier research on second order devolution and subsidiarity in state-local functions and expenditures. Our focus here is on second order devolution and policy outcomes. Do centralized state services produce different outcomes than decentralized services? We attempt to provide preliminary answers to this question through multivariate models that incorporate major state-local service outcomes as dependent variables. We find that a state’s embrace of subsidiarity affects governmental performance in some instances, although not in a consistent manner