Federalism, Clyde Wilcox
Federalism, Clyde Wilcox
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Federalism
A Very Short Introduction

Author: Clyde Wilcox, Mark J. Rozell

Narrator: Peter Lerman

Unabridged: 4 hr 13 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 06/16/2020


Synopsis

Early Americans were suspicious of centralized authority and executive power. Casting away the yoke of England and its king, the founding fathers shared in this distrust as they set out to pen the Constitution. Weighing a need for consolidated leadership with a demand for states' rights, they established a large federal republic with limited dominion over the states, leaving most of the governing responsibility with the former colonies. With this dual system of federalism, the national government held the powers of war, taxation, and commerce, and the ability to pass the laws necessary to uphold these functions.

Although the federal role has grown substantially since then, states and local governments continue to perform most of the duties in civil and criminal law, business and professional licensing, the management of infrastructure and public services: roads, schools, libraries, sanitation, land use and development, etc. Despite the critical roles of state and local governments, there is little awareness—or understanding—of the nature and operations of the federal system.

This Very Short Introduction provides a concise overview of federalism, from its origins and evolution to the key events and constitutional decisions that have defined its framework.

About Clyde Wilcox

Clyde Wilcox is professor of American government at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service in Qatar. He is the author of numerous books on comparative and American politics, including Onward Christian Soldier, Women and Elective Office, and Interest Groups in American Campaigns. He also participates in the diplomatic training of US State Department officials and foreign diplomats.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Peter on May 15, 2024

Two professors of government, Clyde Wilcox and Mark J. Rozell published Federalism: A Very Short Introduction in 2019. Federalism is defined by Wilcox and Rozell as “the political system in which subnational units have some autonomy and authority and where there is power sharing between a national g......more

Goodreads review by Jeremy on November 03, 2021

A clear overview of Federalism. Focused on the US System it discusses the path federalism took in the country as well as advantages and disadvantages. The book briefly looks at other federalist systems and encourages us to think about what some systems do that are better what may be worse and why. W......more

Goodreads review by Thomas on March 22, 2025

Good introduction to federalism, including surveys of federalism beyond America.......more