Federalism
the constitutional allocation of governmental powers between the federal and state governments
“Layer Cake Federalism”
original constitutional division of powers, a limited number of functions become the responsibility of the federal government
“Marble Cake” Federalism
Government layers are strict, but policymaking isolation is no longer the rule
state intermediary between federal and local governments
Bureaucracy (alluded to in the constitution):
- a major force in the policy process
- Often perceived as obstructionist and conservative
- Frequently the most active in promoting policy change
incrementalism
policy change through an accumulation of small policy changes
iron Triangles
- Interest groups: want something from the government
- congressional committees/subcommittees: review legislation in specific policy area; tend to favor interest for which they have oversight
- Administrative agencies: promotes interests through policymaking process
Logrolling
actors minimize conflict by giving one another what they want
Pork Barrel Spending
distribution of funds for special projects of congress members who hold positions in comittees/subcomitees
Corporatism
the development of mechanisms for direct involvement of interest groups in public decision making
