Although it was a relatively quiet year for the courts and congressional action, 1997–1998 saw several developments that may significantly define federalism in the coming years. The 1998 federal budget is projected to show a surplus, ending decades of deficit financingin Washington, D.C., but...

Federalism has rarely been a key national campaign issue, and the presidential campaign of 2000 was no exception. Although the candidates talked of a key state-local issue—education—it was in the context of the popular concern over the quality of schools, rather than federalism issues of...

In 1998–1999, changing federalism in the United States meant that states have greater discretion in some areas of social policy while Congress has asserted greater influence over issues of culture and crime. Despite the rhetoric about decisions being best made by states and localities,...

"As Frances Fox Piven and Richard Cloward argued in the early seventies, in a capitalist economy, social welfare policies alternatingly serve political and economic ends as circumstances dictate. In moments of political stability, governments emphasize a capitalistic work ethic (even if it means...

Contracting America : the cycle of representation and the contagion of policy discourse -- Where the welfare queen resides : the subtext of personal responsibility -- In the clinic : the medicalization of welfare -- Deconstructing devolution : racing to the bottom and other ironies of welfare...