Categorical grants, block grants, and other kinds of intergovernmental financial transfers are most indicative of which set of systemic arrangements?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Intergovernmental financial transfers are most indicative of cooperative federalism, which emphasizes shared powers and responsibilities between different levels of government. Categorical grants and block grants are mechanisms used to incentivize state and local governments to carry out specific policy objectives crafted at the national level. This approach contrasts with dual federalism, in which each level of government has exclusive powers within its own sphere, and with direct democracy and separation of powers, which pertain to the institutional structures of government rather than to federalism.

Categorical Grants, Block Grants, and Other Kinds of Intergovernmental Financial