Learning Objectives

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

  • Outline the structure of federalism today.
  • Discuss the impact of the political cultures that exist in different states.
  • Describe the ways in which varying rules in state constitutions affect the process of devolution.
  • Explain how state government institutions have changed in order to take on new tasks.
  • Examine the relationships between local governments and state politics.
  • Describe the relationships between citizens and their state and local governments.