Policy Implementation through Multiple Paths: The Case of US Federalism

Previous studies on policy implementation structures have focused on multiple actors, based on the idea that a policy is implemented through one path. The idea is appropriate for policy implementations in a country with a unitary political system. It, however, is not always appropriate in explaining policy implementations with multiple decision points as in the US where federal government and state governments are separated and independently operating. In the US, federal government cannot unilaterally impose her policies on individual states. This paper shows that policies can be implemented through more than one path in the US. Neglecting this possibility, one may not accurately explain policy implementations in the US.