ABSTRACT
This chapter provides some of the parallels between evolving US federalism and large organizations. It explains how some typical organizational and administrative processes apply to the evolution of federalism. The chapter discusses how some typical administrative functions such as leadership, coordination, efficiency, and accountability are performed within the US federal structure. In spite of some of the political rhetoric surrounding President Ronald Reagan's New Federalism, the relationships between federal, state, and local governments were not eliminated. The relationship between federalism and administration can be further illustrated by considering how typical administrative functions operate within federal systems. Nineteenth century scholars of federalism such as Lord Bryce argued that the consititution should be repeatedly updated in order to precisely delimit the authority of all member governments in the system. As national programs developed in response to technological and economic interdependency, administrative criteria became a factor in determining state and local authority and discretion.
