After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

• 3.1 Describe federalism and the way it evolved in the United States.
• 3.2 Identify the kinds of constitutional protections that guard against an overly powerful national government.
• 3.3 Discuss the factors contributing to a shift toward nationalized public policy.
• 3.4 Explain the ways in which the national government dominates the modern federal system.
• 3.5 Assess to what extent collective action dilemmas influenced modern federalism.