The Commission on intergovernmental relations Page: 1
xi, 311 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this book.
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INTRODUCTION
The United States has made a major contribution to the art of
government by its successful operation of a federal system. This
success has been especially noteworthy in view of the enormous
strains on the system caused by military and economic emergencies
of the sort that have occurred during the past quartercentury,
and by the cumulative effect of the more gradual
changes brought about by a dynamic and expanding economy.
In recent years, the almost continuous presence of a crisis,
either economic or military, has accounted for vast expansions
of National activities. Many of these programs have been of an
emergency nature; a great many others, however, have lastingly
influenced the division of governmental responsibilities between
the National Government and the States.
Profound as their impact has been, war and economic crisis
have not been the only major causes of the growing pressure for
National action. Equally insistent pressures have been brought
about by intensified industrialization and population shifts from
rural to urban areas; new advances in transportation and communications;
and, flowing from these developments, greatly accelerated
mobility of people and interchange of ideas.
These changes have been reflected in part in a growing governmental
concern with the economic and social welfare of the
individual. And many individuals who once looked no further
than their city hall or State capitol now turn toward Washington
when problems arise. We are doing today as a Nation many
things that we once did as individuals, as local communities, or
as States.
The extensive readjustment of National and State responsibilities
in recent decades was bound to stir questioning of the
continued vitality of our federal system. Candor would probably
compel many thoughtful Americans to admit having experienced
some fear or occasional doubt on this score, at one stage
or another of this momentous period.
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United States. Commission on Intergovernmental Relations. The Commission on intergovernmental relations, book, June 1955; Washington, D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1051/m1/15/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.