This reprinted edition of a classic and truly seminal book, written by one of the leading thinkers in the field, represents the first comprehensive treatment of the economic theory of multi-level government. It explores the specific economic roles of the various levels of government, the assignment of different forms of taxation to central, state (provincial), and local governments, and the fiscal links between tiers of government provided by intergovernmental grants. This reprinted edition includes a new preface that briefly describes the origins of the book and comments on the evolution of the theory and practice of fiscal federalism since its publication.

Table of Contents

Contents: Preface Introduction 1. An Economic Approach to Federalism 2. The Division of Functions Among Levels of Government 3. The Theory and Use of Intergovernmental Grants 4. Taxation and Debt Finance in a Federal System 5. An Empirical Study of Federal Finance 6. The Dynamics of Federalism Index