The First New Federalism and the Development of the Modern American State: Patchwork, Reconstitution, or Transition?

Looking at the disruptions of industrialization and urbanization that occurred during the late 19th century, the development of the modern American state during this period has been described by Stephen Skowronek as the result of a process of "patchwork" and "reconstitution". This chapter focuses on federalism, an often ignored aspect of the American institution, and looks at how it played a critical role during the end of the late 19th century to the early decades of the 20th century in the development of American state. The political and institutional order that developed due to federalism is termed by this chapter as the "First New Federalism".