Models and Theories of Federalism | Center for the Study of Federalism https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/topics/models-and-theories-of-federalism/ A Nonpartisan Research Institution Dedicated to Studying and Researching the Theory and Practice of Federalism Thu, 17 Aug 2023 00:53:02 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://federalism.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/CSF-Icon-Color@0.5x-100x100.png Models and Theories of Federalism | Center for the Study of Federalism https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/topics/models-and-theories-of-federalism/ 32 32 170862320 Picket Fence Federalism https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/models-and-theories-of-federalism/picket-fence-federalism/ Thu, 17 Aug 2023 00:53:02 +0000 https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/no-topic/picket-fence-federalism/ This metaphor, coined by Terry Sanford, describes a feature of intergovernmental relations in which program specialists develop bonds with one another that transcend governmental jurisdictions. This model assumes a vertical...

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]]> 9309 Layer Cake Federalism https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/models-and-theories-of-federalism/layer-cake-federalism/ Fri, 11 Aug 2023 00:37:44 +0000 https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/no-topic/layer-cake-federalism/ While there has been little argument that the United States operates in a federal system—one where the powers of government are divided between the federal government and the states—the understanding...

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]]> 9219 Decentralization https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/models-and-theories-of-federalism/decentralization/ Thu, 10 Aug 2023 00:37:52 +0000 https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/no-topic/decentralization/ “Decentralization” is a widely used term that lacks a precise definition. Generally, decentralization refers to the transfer of specific types of decision-making or administrative authority from a central or higher-level...

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]]> 9209 Noncentralization https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/models-and-theories-of-federalism/noncentralization/ Thu, 10 Aug 2023 00:37:28 +0000 https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/no-topic/noncentralization/ “Noncentralization” is a term coined by Daniel J. Elazar in the 1960’s to refer to a constitutional or political federal arrangement in which there are multiple centers of power, no...

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]]> 9210 Deregulation https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/models-and-theories-of-federalism/deregulation/ Wed, 09 Aug 2023 06:52:54 +0000 https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/no-topic/deregulation/ “Deregulation” refers to the trend that began in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s to reduce national government control of industries including air travel, trucking, railroads, and telecommunications. Many governors...

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]]> 9186 Marble Cake Federalism https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/models-and-theories-of-federalism/marble-cake-federalism/ Wed, 09 Aug 2023 06:26:11 +0000 https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/no-topic/marble-cake-federalism/ “Marble cake federalism” is a bakery metaphor often used to describe the model of cooperative federalism. This model of federalism holds that the local, state, and national governments do not act in separate...

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]]> 9181 Creative Federalism https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/models-and-theories-of-federalism/creative-federalism/ Wed, 09 Aug 2023 06:25:21 +0000 https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/no-topic/creative-federalism/ Beginning in the late 1950’s and lasting through the late 1960’s, federalism went through a creative phase that saw a flurry of new programs and a greater linkage of the...

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]]> 9180 Covenant https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/models-and-theories-of-federalism/covenant/ Wed, 09 Aug 2023 04:09:23 +0000 https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/no-topic/covenant/ A covenant is a morally informed, perpetual, consent-based agreement that depends primarily on the efforts of the covenanting parties themselves for monitoring and enforcement. In this way, covenants differ from...

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]]> 9164 States’ Rights https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/models-and-theories-of-federalism/states-rights/ Wed, 09 Aug 2023 01:54:12 +0000 https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/no-topic/states-rights/ States’ rights is the philosophical governing belief, hearkening back to the Articles of Confederation, that state governments are equal to, and may override, national government powers. The concept of states’...

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]]> 9155 Competitive Federalism https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/models-and-theories-of-federalism/competitive-federalism/ Wed, 09 Aug 2023 01:37:55 +0000 https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/no-topic/competitive-federalism/ “Competitive federalism” refers to the existence and desirability of competition among governments and jurisdictions in a federal political system. Competition among governments can be defined as rivalry whereby each government...

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]]> 9152 Coercive Federalism https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/models-and-theories-of-federalism/coercive-federalism/ Tue, 08 Aug 2023 07:01:58 +0000 https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/no-topic/coercive-federalism/ Coercive federalism is a period of American federalism that began in the late 1960’s. It is characterized by substantial growth in the power of the federal government relative to the states and...

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]]> 9100 Devolution https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/models-and-theories-of-federalism/devolution/ Tue, 08 Aug 2023 06:35:19 +0000 https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/no-topic/devolution/ “Devolution” is a widely used term that lacks a precise definition and is often used interchangeably with “decentralization.” Decentralization, however, entails explicit transfers of decision-making authority that are limited to specific...

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]]> 9098 Secession https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/models-and-theories-of-federalism/secession/ Tue, 08 Aug 2023 05:38:03 +0000 https://federalism.org/encyclopedia/no-topic/secession/ “Secession” refers to the act of withdrawing from a formal organization, most commonly a political entity. Although secession movements have occurred throughout the world, when used in the American context,...

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