ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the importance of federalism and intergovernmental relations (IGR) for public administration. The federal system is the environment within which public administration occurs, whereas public policy occurs within the context of IGR, a complex network of relationships involving every level of government, as well as not-for-profit groups and private firms. The chapter illustrates the main attributes of federalism as found in the US Constitution. Judicial interpretations of the Constitution also have a hand in shaping the federal system. The chapter also discusses some major Supreme Court decisions that have a significant impact on federal-state relations. It examines the structure of governments other than the national and investigates the effects that the federal system's development has on civil society. The chapter concludes by discussing the history of civil society in the United States that has been influenced by the tension between the Federalist and Anti-Federalist perspectives.
