A.P. Government Notes: Chapter 3 ?Federalism? Governmental Structure The single most persistent source of conflict in U.S. politics since the adoption of the Constitution has been the relations between the national and state governments. Today, an effort is underway to reduce national gov?t powers, giving more strength to the states; this effort is known as devolution. Some proposals give states block grants in which states get money that they can spend in any way they want?as long as it is within broad guidelines set by Congress.