Cooperation without borders: Federalism and international trade (Minnesota, New York)

This dissertation analyzes the operation of state international trade offices and state-federal interaction with regard to the negotiation, approval and implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. The American states have become increasingly involved in international affairs during the past two decades even though the Constitution clearly establishes the federal government's dominant and exclusive role in foreign affairs.; Based on a telephone survey, interviews, case studies of Minnesota and New York, and analysis of existing data, the dissertation finds that cooperation, minimal conflict and a changing international environment characterize state-federal relations in international affairs.; Cooperation emerged as the dominant pattern of state-federal interaction with regard to state international trade offices, NAFTA and the Uruguay Round of GATT. The dissertation findings challenge traditional views of conflict and cooperation by revealing that conflict and cooperation can and do exist simultaneously. In addition, cooperation exists in a spectrum of state-federal relations ranging from autonomy to synergy.; The research identifies five factors as important influences on state-federal relations in international affairs: the federal government's need to present a united front in foreign affairs, shared state and federal policy goals, a lack of partisan differences defining the issues, the source of the international policy or activity (federal or state government); and both levels of government's familiarity with the international policy issue in question.; The research confirmed that state-federal relations in international affairs evolve in tandem with the growing international role of the states, the changing role of the federal government and the increased importance of the global economy. This evolution will continue as each of these and other actors adapts to this environment of unprecedented worldwide linkages.