1st Edition

American System A New View of Government in the United States

By Morton Grodzins, Daniel J. Elazar Copyright 1982
    422 Pages
    by Routledge

    The theories Morton Grodzins developed from his life-long study of the American system are again available in this classic. It is a timely reprinting, given the policies of today's New Federalism. Thirty years ago, Grodzins hypothesized that government functions were shared by all levels of government. Using original research results, he interpreted, clarified, and structured data into a unique and highly analytical statement on American federalism. Said Grodzins: This book is in happy disagreement with the prophets of doom who are so fashionable today. Our federalism does creak at its joints. But these are creaks indicating a healthy flexibility. Daniel Elazar was a student of Grodzins who has described his teacher's thinking as unconventional for its time. Grodzins had argued that increased federal activity in states' affairs strengthen local programs without legislative power loss. Believing in the American system in which the consensus reflects all national interests or questions about it, Grodzins argued that the actions of special interest groups help mould the national interest.

    Editor's Introduction, PART I: INTRODUCTION, PART II: THE MARBLE CAKE OF GOVERNMENT, PART III: PARTICIPANT PERSPECTIVES, PART IV: THE DYNAMICS OF THE SYSTEM, PART V: APPLICATIONS OF THE SHARING HYPOTHESIS, Index

    Biography

    Morton Grodzins was chairman of the Department of Political Science at the University of Chicago at the time of his death. He was a member of the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations and also served as editor of the University of Chicago Press. Daniel J. Elazar is professor of political science at Temple University and director of the Center for the Study of Federalism. He is the ediĀ­tor of Publius: The Journal of Federalism.