The term describes the complex financial relationship between the national government and state and local governments. It involves the division of governmental functions and financial resources among these different levels. A primary example is the federal government providing grants to states for infrastructure projects, with the states then managing the implementation of those projects.
This system is important because it allows the national government to influence policy at the state and local level while still allowing states a degree of autonomy. Benefits include promoting national goals, addressing disparities in wealth among states, and allowing for experimentation and innovation in policy. Historically, the balance of power within this system has shifted, with the federal government’s role expanding significantly since the New Deal era.