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Deil Wright's Overlapping Model of Intergovernmental Relations

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Abstract

This paper examines Deil Wright's seminal overlapping model of intergovernmental relations (IGR), outlining its key theoretical contributions to understanding how different levels of government interact. The paper identifies Wright's three main types of IGR — horizontal, vertical, and diagonal — and explains how these categories frequently overlap in practice. It further explores Wright's four-part typology of IGR dynamics: cooperation, conflict, coordination, and fragmentation. Drawing on contributions from scholars including Kincaid, Burke, and Hamilton, the paper demonstrates how Wright's framework remains a valuable lens for analyzing both collaborative and contentious relationships across governmental levels.

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What makes this paper effective

Clearly defines each of Wright's IGR categories before analyzing their interactions, giving readers a solid conceptual foundation.
Uses concrete real-world examples — such as Canadian federal-provincial negotiations — to illustrate abstract theoretical distinctions.
Integrates multiple scholarly sources to reinforce each IGR category, lending credibility to the theoretical claims.

Key academic technique demonstrated

The paper demonstrates effective conceptual unpacking: rather than treating Wright's model as a single monolithic idea, it systematically disaggregates the model into its component types and dynamics. Each concept is defined, illustrated, and contextualized before the paper shows how they relate. This technique is especially useful in political science and public administration writing, where theoretical frameworks must be made operationally clear.

Structure breakdown

The paper follows a progressive, building-block structure. It opens with a brief introduction, then presents Wright's theoretical background. The next two sections define and complicate the three IGR types, showing how they overlap in practice. The paper then pivots to Wright's four-part behavioral typology — cooperation, conflict, coordination, and fragmentation — treating each in its own subsection. A short conclusion synthesizes the model's analytical value. This logical sequencing makes the argument easy to follow at an introductory undergraduate level.

Introduction

This paper describes and discusses Deil Wright's seminal work on intergovernmental relations (IGR). It identifies the model, describes three types of IGR, explains how they relate, and clarifies what is meant by cooperation, conflict, coordination, and fragmentation.

Deil Wright's Seminal Work on IGR

Deil Wright's seminal work on intergovernmental relations proposed a model that has been widely influential in both academic and policy circles. In his view, IGR can be understood as the ways in which different levels of government interact with one another.

Three Types of IGR

This interaction can take many forms, including cooperation, conflict, competition, and fragmentation (Hamilton & Stenberg, 2018).

Wright's model identifies three main types of IGR: horizontal, vertical, and diagonal. Horizontal IGR occurs between units at the same level of government, such as between two provinces. Vertical IGR takes place between units at different levels of government, such as between the federal government and a province or state. Diagonal IGR involves interactions between units that are not at the same level of government, such as between the municipal government of one state and the government of another state.

How IGR Types Interact and Overlap

These three types of IGR are not mutually exclusive; in fact, they often overlap and interact with one another. In reality, these types of IGR are frequently intertwined. For example, horizontal IGR may involve negotiations between different provinces in Canada, while vertical IGR may come into play when the federal government creates national policies that affect provincial governments. Similarly, diagonal IGR may be evident when two or more governments cooperate on matters of mutual concern, such as trade or security.

Understanding how these types of IGR interact and overlap is essential for effectively managing cross-border relations (Stenberg & Hamilton, 2018). The concept of federalism provides important context for appreciating why these overlapping dynamics arise in multi-level governance systems.

Cooperation, Conflict, Coordination, and Fragmentation

According to Wright, IGR can be categorized into four different types: conflictual, cooperative, coordinated, and fragmented.

Cooperative IGR occurs when there is a general consensus between different levels of government about what needs to be done and how to go about doing it. Wright's IGR model posits that cooperation is a fundamental ingredient of effective governmental work. The model has three key features: a clear and shared goal, a division of labor, and interpersonal relationships based on trust, respect, and mutual support. When these elements are in place, governmental actors are more likely to cooperate with one another and to invest the time and energy necessary to achieve shared goals. In contrast, when one or more of these elements is lacking, actors are likely to experience conflict and competition, which can lead to tension and animosity. As such, cooperation is essential for governmental units to function effectively (Kincaid, 2018).

Conflictual IGR exists when there is a clear conflict of interest between different levels of government, with each level vying for power and resources (Burke & Brudney, 2018). Such conflicts can emerge over fiscal authority, regulatory jurisdiction, or the implementation of national policy at the subnational level.

Coordinated IGR exists when there is some degree of coordination between different levels of government, but not necessarily a full consensus. This intermediate form reflects many real-world public administration scenarios where governments must work together despite differing priorities or capacities.

Fragmented IGR occurs when there is little or no communication or coordination between different levels of government. In this condition, policy goals may conflict or duplicate, and resources can be deployed inefficiently due to the absence of an organizing framework for inter-level engagement.

Conclusion

Wright's model has proven to be a valuable tool for understanding the complex ways in which different levels of government interact with one another. Deil Wright's intergovernmental relations model can be used to help us understand both the potential for conflict and the potential for cooperation between different levels of government. The IGR model thus provides a helpful framework for analyzing the full spectrum of inter-level governmental dynamics, from fragmentation and conflict to coordination and cooperation.

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Key Concepts in This Paper

Intergovernmental Relations Overlapping Model Horizontal IGR Vertical IGR Diagonal IGR Cooperative Federalism Conflictual IGR Coordinated IGR Fragmentation Deil Wright