Intergovernmental Models for the 21st Century (In Progress)

BACKGROUND

In the 21st Century, no significant public problem fits entirely within one government agency or even one level of government. Our federal system presupposes that all levels of government have an important role to play in the democratic process. Effective problem-solving requires federal, state, and local governments to work successfully together and often with the private and nonprofit sectors. And yet, we have not prioritized developing collaborative capabilities to create and implement effective policies and programs across levels of government and sectors of society.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Academy’s Center for Intergovernmental Partnerships will assess the intergovernmental system’s current dysfunctions, develop a new model for those systems, and create a high-level agenda to apply changes in various policy contexts. This study will also serve as a launch pad for additional research on optimizing the intergovernmental system.

The Center will:

• Describe the most significant practical problems with the current intergovernmental system,
• Assess the most promising new models in use,
• Develop the key tenets and practices of a new model that can address current challenges; and
• Create an action plan, proposing steps specific actors should take.

The Jane G. and Mark A. Pisano Fund provides the funding for this study. It will occur over six months under an Expert Advisory Group (EAG) of Academy Fellows.

Study Fellows