Supreme Court & Federalism
· Provide a Biblically based support for your analysis
· Sources must be derived from Read items assigned for the Module: Week in which the Case Study is assigned, peer-reviewed journal articles, and your independent research.
· All citations and format must be in current APA format
· Include 8 – 10 sources, not including your Biblical analysis
· Double-spaced, with 1-inch margins, written in 12-point Times New Roman font.
Paper must be 8-10 pages
Case Study: The Supreme Court, Federalism, and Public Administrators Assignment
Christensen and Wise (2009) state,
[t]he U.S. Supreme Court has come to play an important role in articulating that system of rules. The Supreme Court’s federalism decisions are especially important in understanding what powers public managers [must] achieve policy priorities in the current context of devolved government.
For this Case Study Assignment, you will provide a scholarly paper concerning the effect of recent Supreme Court decisions on public administration and federalism.
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What role does the U.S. Supreme Court play in defining federalism and its impact on public administration?,
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How have recent Supreme Court decisions affected the balance of power between federal state and local governments?,
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In what ways do these decisions influence how public administrators implement policy?,
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What challenges and opportunities arise from federalism as shaped by the Supreme Court?,
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How can biblical principles guide public administrators in navigating federalism and judicial authority?
Comprehensive General Answer
1. Introduction
The U.S. Supreme Court serves as a cornerstone in defining the scope and application of federalism within the American political system. Federalism, which divides authority between national and state governments, continuously evolves through judicial interpretation. As Christensen and Wise (2009) observe, the Court’s federalism rulings shape the framework in which public administrators operate, determining how they implement and manage policies in an era of devolved governance. In recent decades, landmark cases have reshaped the boundaries of power, affecting issues such as healthcare, environmental regulation, civil rights, and administrative oversight. These judicial interpretations have far-reaching consequences for the practice of public administration, determining not only the distribution of authority but also the ethical and operational responsibilities of administrators at all levels of government.
2. The Supreme Court’s Role in Defining Federalism
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decisions act as the final arbiter in constitutional disputes concerning the balance between federal and state power. Historically, the Court’s rulings have oscillated between centralization and decentralization, depending on the political and social climate.
For example, McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) affirmed the supremacy of federal authority under the Necessary and Proper Clause, setting an early precedent for a strong national government. In contrast, the Rehnquist Court (1986–2005) marked a shift toward “New Federalism”, emphasizing state sovereignty and limiting federal overreach. More recent cases—such as NFIB v. Sebelius (2012), Shelby County v. Holder (2013), and Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022)—reflect renewed debates over federal authority versus states’ rights.
These rulings directly influence how public administrators interpret legal mandates and implement policies within the complex network of intergovernmental relations. In this way, the Supreme Court acts not merely as a judicial body but as a co-architect of public governance.