ABSTRACT
This chapter evaluates potential for the states against their ability to contribute toward the alleviation of the problems of the ghetto. The states did share decisions with national and local governments in the pattern now called "cooperative federalism", but few functions were then performed by governments. In the 1950s and early 1960s, a few of the more prosperous but problem-ridden industrial states began to become concerned with urban poverty. Most of the urban industrial states also began to pay some attention to civil rights starting in the 1950s. The most rational approach to the controlling of ghetto riots would involve two principles. One would be to minimize the activities of the local police or the state police in any riot area. The second principle is that riot control should be made the responsibility of professionals. The chapter argues that the states have a part to play in dealing with the problems of the ghetto.
