Article Review: America and the Founding Assignment for Module 2: Week 2
Your Name
Professor's Name
Liberty University
PLCY 804-Your Section #-Term (like "Summer 2021")
Date Assignment is Due Here
ANNOTATIONS
Thomas, Clarence. 2000 "Why Federalism Matters." Drake Law Review 48, no. 2: 231–238.
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Agranoff, Robert & Michael, McGuire. 2001 "American federalism and the search for
models of management." Public Administration Review, 61(6), 671-681.
The article is about finding the best framework that can be adapted within federalism to
enable both the national and local levels of government to share powers and responsibilities
effectively. The authors noted that federalism works effectively if the right management model of
government and non-government programs are well coordinated following the right predetermined
framework that directs actions and informs decisions. Based on the article, four models of
managing within federalism can be adapted to facilitate effective sharing of powers and
responsibilities between the federal and local levels of government. According to Agranoff, Robert
& Michael, McGuire (2001), there are four essential managing models that are within federalism.
This include the top-down model, the donor-recipient model, the jurisdiction-based model, and the
network model.
Foremost, the top-down model is a framework that is based on enabling the executive arm
of the federal government to have control over the affairs of different levels of government. The
framework enables the executive to implement and coordinate such programs at different levels of
the government. Notably, the top-down model enables the effective sharing of power and
responsibilities between different levels of government through the use of relevant rules and
policies. Also, the donor-recipient model is based on the mutual dependence of different levels of
government. The model encourages close coordination and cooperation between different levels
of government on shared programs. Such an arrangement is defined by the relationship between
individuals at different levels. Further, the jurisdiction-based model is based on formulating
policies and regulations that different levels of government follow to manage different programs.
The model allows players at different government levels to work together to formulate effective
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policies regulating different programs. Furthermore, the network management model is a
framework that allows for close coordination and cooperation between the federal and local levels
of government in developing and implementing policies that guide different programs. This article
presents a clear and detailed explanation of the four management models within federalism.
However, the article does not clearly present the research question, methodology used during the
research, evidence, and major findings.
Kettl, F. Donald. 2000 “The transformation of governance: Globalization, devolution, and
the role of government.” Public administration review, 60(6), 488-497.
This article explores more how governance has transformed over the years due to
globalization, devolution, and the role of government. As noted by the author, the American
government is continuously undergoing several changes that redefine how the federal and local
levels of government share responsibilities and power. In particular, new developments such as
new processes and institutions are increasingly becoming central to public policy. Such
transformations have strained the traditional roles of all players within the American government
and the capacity of governments and other stakeholders to deliver quality services to all
consistently. As a result of the changes, the federal and local levels of government are faced with
several challenges and new expectations. Today, the American government must develop the
capacity beyond the standard responses, structures, and processes to keep up with the changes.
One of the major challenges is globalization, which poses economic challenges. As a result
of globalization, the government must develop progressive policies that facilitate the creation of a
conducive business environment where investors from different parts of the world can invest in
and thrive without much friction with the existing market players. Also, devolution continues to
pose different challenges to governance. Devolution calls for the separation of powers, while
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different levels of government share responsibilities in delivering services to citizens. The
development and implementation of relevant policies that encourage the smooth sharing of power
and responsibilities between different levels of government can effectively address the challenges
of devolution. More so, government involvement is increasingly becoming very important in the
transformation of governance. The government must be prepared to effectively address new
challenges faced by developing predetermined policies and procedures that enable effective
operations and sharing of powers and responsibilities between different levels of government. The
article clearly explains the challenges of the new transformation of governance. However, the
article is not about a research study. Therefore, the article does not clearly define the research
question, methodology used during the research, evidence, and major findings.
SYNTHESIS
The two articles advance the understanding of how policies developed and actions taken
by the federal government affect the local level of government. In particular, the articles advance
the understanding of the impact of the federal government's fiscal measures on the sub-national
governments. Such fiscal measures include the federal government's taxation and spending
measures. Evidently, such measures have far-reaching impacts, which can be positive or negative.
According Agranoff, Robert & Michael, McGuire (2001), the federal government's taxing and
spending measures benefit sub-national governments in several ways. Foremost, the federal
government's fiscal measures help create a conducive working environment governed by relevant
policies and regulations. As such, the sub-national governments can effectively work together with
the federal government to consistently ensure that tax collection and expenditure activities are
done the right way. As Agranoff, Robert & Michael, McGuire (2001) asserts, adopting a top-down
model of managing within federalism encourages creating the right policies and regulations, which
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enable effective coordination and cooperation between the federal government and the sub-
national governments.
Also, the federal government's fiscal measures have an overall beneficial effect on sub-
national governments because it calls for adopting an ideal management model within federalism.
Adopting an ideal management model within federalism is key to ensuring that stakeholders at
different levels of government have an ideal way of sharing power and responsibilities to ensure
effective taxation and expenditure procedures are followed consistently. An ideal framework to
guide taxation and spending enables the federal and sub-national governments to employ the right
standard procedures to deliver desired results.
Also, Agranoff, Robert & Michael, McGuire (2001) noted that adopting the network model
of managing within federalism enables different entities within the federal and sub-national
governments to pursue joint goals and objectives regarding taxation and expenditure to have well-
defined roles and responsibilities. Such an arrangement encourages accountability and
transparency, positively affecting subnational governments because it enables smooth operations
and easy and quality decision-making. What is more, Agranoff, Robert & Michael, McGuire
(2001) noted that the adoption of the jurisdiction-based management model within federalism has
an overall beneficial effect on the sub-national governments because the framework inspires local
officials to develop and implement programs adjustments that enable the local governments to
achieve strategic goals and objectives.
Also, Kettl, Donald (2000) noted that the federal government's fiscal measures on both
taxation and expenditure of revenues have an overall beneficial effect on sub-national governments
in several ways. Foremost, the federal government's fiscal measures consider the transformation
of governance over time to ensure that such measures are responsive to such changes. Having
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responsive fiscal measures enables the sub-national governments to have and implement the right
policies and regulations that enable them to effectively address new challenges and meet the needs
and requirements of the people through service delivery.
According to Kettl, Donald (2000), globalization and devolution are new developments
that continue to pose unique challenges and responsibilities to both the federal and sub-national
levels of governments. The challenges and responsibilities brought about by globalization and
devolution make it difficult for different levels of government to effectively share powers and
responsibilities, which limits their ability to effectively and consistently deliver services to the
people. As such, there is a need for the federal government to develop and implement the right
fiscal measures. Implementing such fiscal measures encourages development of the right and
necessary policy adjustments, creating a conducive environment where the national and sub-
national governments can effectively work together in delivering public services through
cooperation, coordination, and collaboration.
Moreover, the federal government's fiscal measures have an overall beneficial effect on
sub-national governments because they inspire the development and implementation of policies
and regulations that check the impacts of globalization. As Kettl, Donald (2000) noted,
globalization opens avenues where economic players from other parts of the world operate and
influence the local market. An increase in such activities calls for developing relevant policies that
create a conducive business environment for all. However, there is a need to develop the right
policies that do not discourage external investors from investing in the American economy. As
such, policies that are responsive to the challenges and needs of local and international investors
must be developed. As pointed out by Kettl, Donald (2000), developing fiscal measures that
regulate taxation and expenditure of collected revenue has a beneficial effect on sub-national
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governments because it helps in the creation of a conducive business environment that attracts
investors.
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References
Agranoff, Robert & Michael, McGuire. 2001 "American federalism and the search for models of
management." Public Administration Review, 61(6), 671-681.
Kettl, F. Donald. 2000 “The transformation of governance: Globalization, devolution, and the
role of government.” Public administration review, 60(6), 488-497.
