Question

What is the process by which the Supreme Court has made specific provisions of the bill of rights applicable not just to the federal government, but also to state and local governments?

One of the tools the national government uses to coerce states into adopting national priorities involves——- between the various levels of government?

Answer 1

Prior to 1920 courts held that bill of rights should not place any limitations on the authority of state and local government. But beginning with the thirteenth amendment which declared the abolition of slavery, there was a rise in incorporation of other amendments.

Beginning from 1920, Unites States supreme court interpreted the Fourteenth amendment to incorporate most portions of the bill of rights, making it enforceable across various levels of government.

Regulations, mandates and conditions which are often in the form of threats to withdraw federal funding are used across the various levels of government by national governments to coerce states into adopting national priorities.