Case Study: The Supreme Court, Federalism, and Public Administrators

Full Answer Section

       

• Public Managers: These are the individuals who implement and manage public policies at various levels of government.
• Supreme Court's Role: The Court's interpretations of the Constitution (especially clauses related to federal and state powers) directly impact the scope of authority and limitations faced by public managers when trying to achieve policy priorities. For instance, a Supreme Court ruling on environmental regulations, healthcare, or civil rights can expand or restrict the actions a state or local government can take.

In essence, Christensen and Wise are pointing out that if you're a public manager in the U.S., you can't just look at the laws passed by your legislature; you also have to understand how the Supreme Court has interpreted the constitutional boundaries of power, as those interpretations dictate what you can and cannot do to implement policy.

Sample Answer

          You've quoted Christensen and Wise (2009) on the significant role of the U.S. Supreme Court, particularly its federalism decisions, in defining the powers of public managers in a devolved government context. This quote highlights a crucial aspect of governance in the United States:

• Federalism: The division of powers between the federal government and state governments. The Supreme Court often acts as the arbiter of disputes regarding these powers.
• Devolved Government: Refers to the delegation of powers from a central government to local or regional administrations. In the U.S. context, this often means states and local municipalities.
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