Abstract
The distinctive features of American intergov ernmental relations (IGR) are specified, and the last half-century of policy trends in the United States are viewed through the conceptual lens provided by the IGR perspective. Several distinctive features of IGR set it apart from the more commonplace term, federalism. These features include a multiplicity of units, the primacy of public officials' attitudes and actions, informal working patterns, the prominence of administrators, and a policy emphasis. Five phases of IGR form a matrix for classifying recent United States political developments. The phases are: (1) conflict, (2) cooperative, (3) concentrated, (4) creative, and (5) competitive. The chal lenges presented by the complexity and interdependencies of IGR point toward a management emphasis. Intergovern mental accomplishments appear to hinge on the successful management of complexity.
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