Conclusion

Abstract

This concluding chapter summarizes the book's contributions to the literature on institutional design. These include providing: (1) a common taxonomy for the analysis of intergovernmental relationships; (2) descriptive insights that substantiate the value of the dimensional and functional framework we advocate; (3) normative postulates, derived from the book's six case studies, about the best ways to structure authority along the various dimensions and for particular functions in specific contexts; (4) a call for future empirical work by scholars and policy analysts investigating the advantages and disadvantages of alternative allocative configurations revealed by actual experience with past reorganizations. The chapter then urges the adoption of an adaptive governance infrastructure that embeds systematic, continued assessment of existing regulatory allocations (principally overseen by an insulated federal entity) into the existing administrative system. The chapter suggests how authority to implement this learning infrastructure should be allocated along each of the three dimensions for three key information management functions. It also explains how integrating such a governance infrastructure into ongoing policymaking processes has the capacity to promote increased deliberation and accountable government.