Aspekti američkog federalizma
Aspects of American Federalism

Summary/Abstract: The American system of government has been organized from its inception as a ’matrix' based on a structural dispersion of government among federal, state and local institutions. In the course of the post two centuries, however, American federalism has undergone profound changes. Although the basic document — the Constitution, which established the American constitutional order and a federal state system, has been amended only slightly, the manner in which it is applied has changed substantially. Economic development and profound changes in the social structure, attended by the strengthening of the role of the state in all fields of social activity, have had a powerful impact on the structure of American federalism, resulting in this century in a shift of balance in favour of greater centralisation. It is important to note that the courts, In ruling on the constitutionality of individual laws, have often made it possible for federal agencies to expand their functions and to incorporate in their competence many affairs which had been previously disputed or which were under the jurisdiction of federal states. This, in turn, contributed to a new Interpretation of the constitutional provisions dealing with the division of powers between the federation and the states. again leading to a shift in the direction of greater centralisation. During the past ten years or so numerous attempts have been made to re-establish a power equilibrium in the federal system, and to restore to the federal states and the local authorities administrative control of various social and economic programmes (so-called 'new federalism’).

• Details
• Contents