The substance of the federal form of government is largely determined by the degree of independence accorded the individual states. This study examines one proposal to increase federal standard on state unemployment insurance benefits.

The issue of a federal benefit standard is as old as the program itself. Currently it is among the topics being studied by the National Commission on Unemployment Compensation. The heart of the issue is whether the states are paying adequate unemployment benefits.

The study begins by defining adequacy and proceeds to the selection of measures of adequacy. It then applies these measures to the performance of the states and appraises the main arguments for and against a federal benefit standard. The author concludes that the case for a compulsory federal benefit standard is not convincing.