Differing Paradigms, Similar Flaws : Constructing a New Approach to Federalism in the United States

This article presents a new approach to federalism that focus more on the outcome desired than on formal power relationships, considers more realistically the role played by states and localities, and incorporates the role of citizens more directly in the analysis. This approach underlines, contrary to the approach of the U.S. Supreme Court and Congress, how to structure the federal system so that each level of government can contribute best to public problems solutions and recognizes that interaction, partnership, and occasionally tension between levels of government are required to insure that citizens become more engaged in North American civic society