18.11 Chapter Highlights: Strengthening Your Civic Engagement Skills

This chapter provides an in-depth look at American federalism and intergovernmental relationships, explaining how power is divided and shared among federal, state, and local governments. Understanding intergovernmental relations is essential for comprehending the full picture of American governance. This type of cooperation is crucial for addressing problems that cross jurisdictional boundaries. By learning about these different models and relationships, readers can better understand the framework within which public policies are developed and implemented.

The chapter also discusses the Dillon Rule and Home Rule, two key concepts that define the relationship between state and local governments. The Dillon Rule limits local governments to powers explicitly granted by the state, while Home Rule provides local governments with greater autonomy to manage their own affairs. However, it’s important to note that state’s retain control over what local government can and cannot do.