State Law and Industrial Policy in American Development, 1790-1987

In the contemporary debate on industrial policy, it is only very recently that scholars and policy experts have shown much concern for the role of the states. This is attributable to the fact that the policy dialogue has centered on monetary and fiscal matters, international trade diplomacy and the protective tariff structure, and national labor relations issues. These are questions that have been framed and pursued mainly by the national government. They are not questions that focus attention, except in peripheral ways, on the states.' Some commentators on industrial policy issues have sought out the