IGR and the Executive Branch: the New Federalism

Abstract

IGR and the New Federalism are synonymous. Former President Nixon summarized the New Federalism as "A cooperative venture among governments at all levels ... in which power, funds, and authority are channeled increas ingly to those governments which are closest to the people." IGR is essentially an art and primarily an exercise in the be havioral field. The thread which binds government officials intergovernmentally is the financing and administration of federal grants-in-aid and other forms of federal financial assis tance. Concern in the executive branch for IGR developed in the last 20 years; thus its roots in American governance are not yet very deep. The views and support of public interest groups as well as the sympathetic attention of Congress are essential to the pursuit of IGR goals and objectives in the executive branch. In relations between levels of government, partnership rather than paternalism must prevail. The rise of stronger chief executives and decentralization of power from Washington are noted. Confidence of Americans in their own government is essential to achieving a federal system working in all parts, well-managed and equitably financed.