Intergovernmental Relations: a View from the States

Interstate relations can not be viewed apart from the broad concept of the American federal system. The utiliza tion and viability of cooperative devices formally recognized by the Constitution of the United States, such as interstate compacts and agreements between states, are measurably offset by preemptive actions of the central government. There has been a vast increase in formal cooperative mechanisms among the states in past 30 years, accompanied by even greater changes in federal-state-local interrelationships. These changes have been accomplished without much regard for the theoretical framework in which decisions are made and functions are carried out. The authors describe states going about their business of rendering improved services to the people; of looking increasingly to each other for new and innovative approaches to problem solving; and of cooperating to increase their influence on federal policy. An emergent trend is discerned toward reversal of the theory that power is best exercised in the nation's capital. Circumstances indicate that the states today may take advantage of a golden oppor tunity to lead the way by working together to increase their individual and collective capacities.