Mandates and Management Challenges in the Trenches: An Intergovernmental Perspective on Homeland Security

• Published in: Public administration review 2006-07, Vol.66 (4), p.522-536
• Main Authors: Caruson, Kiki, MacManus, Susan A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Central-local government relations; Cities; Cooperation; Coordination; Counterterrorism - United States; Counties; Departments; Disasters; Disasters - Emergency preparedness; Emergency management; Emergency preparedness; Emergency Programs; Enhancing Homeland Security from a Public Administration Perspective; Executives; Federalism; Feedback (Response); Florida; Government; Government agencies; Government grants; Government mandates; Government services; Hurricanes; Hypotheses; Implementation; Indexing in process; Intergovernmental Relations; Internal security - United States; International Organizations; Jurisdiction; Law enforcement; Local government; Local government - Florida; National Security; Networks; Policy implementation; Policy making; Public administration; Public officials; Security management; Security Policy; September 11 terrorist attacks-2001; Stakeholders; State Aid; State-local relations; Statistical analysis; Studies; Task forces; Terrorism; U.S.A
• ISSN: 0033-3352; 1540-6210
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6210.2006.00613.x

Scholars and practitioners agree that homeland security policy implementation is contingent on a strong system of intergovernmental relations. The responsibilities associated with the homeland security mission, often mandated, cut across federal, state, and local boundaries. Local-level stakeholders are especially important players in the implementation process. This article presents a local perspective on the way intergovernmental relations have changed-and the reasons for those changes-since 9/11. Results of a survey of county and city officials in Florida provide evidence that intergovernmental cooperation has improved as a result of federal and state mandates. These results are refined by an analysis of the effects of specific local characteristics and the quality and quantity of vertical and horizontal networks on intergovernmental cooperation and local preparedness. Homeland security appears to be a policy area in which mandated cooperation and coordination-in a time and place of urgency-have actually strengthened the intergovernmental system.