State and Local Governments in Intergovernmental Relations

Observe how federal bureaucratic agencies seek to influence state actors to achieve their policy goals, including making lobby and state-agency allies, withholding funds, and congressional intervention.
Analyze both the impact that federal preemption has upon state and local political activity and public policy and possible alternatives to preemption.
Discuss the differences between PIGs and government interest groups, as well as how government interest groups representing state and local interests react to the federal government.
Evaluate competitive and cooperative modes of interstate relationships.
Define “cooperative localism” and explain the strengths of federal-local collaboration in contrast to federal-state action.