Overall, I would say that for any given problem, it should be handled at whichever level results in the fewest coordination/externality problems This just make

Overall, I would say that for any given problem, it should be handled at whichever level results in the fewest coordination/externality problems This just makes too much sense for either the "More Local!!!" crowd or the "More Federal!!!" crowd to ever get behind. None of them ever want to concede the common sense fact that most of the time, "It depends." Should we have more federal control? It depends. Should we have more local control? It depends. Control of what? Are there coordination issues? Is anyone's human rights trampled? What are the externalities? Can local governments other than SF and NYC actually afford the infrastructure and resources required to control whatever it is we're talking about? Can states other than Cali, Texas, and NY afford it? On and on. These are not simplistic issues.