Donald F. Kettl Livres

"As James Madison led America's effort to write its Constitution, he made two great inventions-the separation of powers and federalism. The first is more famous, but the second was most essential because, without federalism, there could have been no United States of America. Federalism has always been about setting the balance of power between the federal government and the states-and that's revolved around deciding just how much inequality the country was prepared to accept in exchange for making piece among often-warring states. Through the course of its history, the country has moved through a series of phases, some of which put more power into the hands of the federal government, and some rested more power in the states. Sometimes this rebalancing led to armed conflict. The Civil War, of course, almost split the nation permanently apart. And sometimes it led to political battles. By the end of the 1960s, however, the country seemed to have settled into a quiet agreement that inequality was a prime national concern, that the federal government had the responsibility for addressing it through its own policies, and that the states would serve as administrative agents of that policy. But as that agreement seemed set, federalism drifted from national debate, just as the states began using their administrative role to push in very different directions. The result has been a rising tide of inequality, with the great invention that helped create the nation increasingly driving it apart"-- Provided by publisher

Focusing on the writing process for researchers, the manual guides readers through creating impactful written work from inception to completion. It features a wealth of examples highlighting effective and ineffective writing, alongside the authors' personal experiences in transforming ideas into compelling narratives. This resource serves both as a comprehensive guide and a deep dive into specific writing challenges, making it invaluable for writers aiming to enhance their skills.

Federalism, an innovative system of power sharing conceived by James Madison, was intended to balance national and state interests, uniting the colonies to form the United States. However, it inherently created inequalities based on geographic location, leading to significant divisions among states and rendering federalism unstable. In this exploration of American federalism's history, pivotal moments are highlighted, such as the Civil War, which nearly fractured the nation, and the civil rights era, when there was a consensus that inequality posed a threat to liberty and necessitated federal intervention. Despite this agreement, disparities among states have only intensified, affecting public services like health care, infrastructure, education, and the environment. The author critiques the flaws in Madison's design and suggests potential reforms inspired by Alexander Hamilton's writings. This urgent call for reform emphasizes the need to confront the crisis of inequality in America and offers pathways to address these systemic issues.