Final answer:
A consequence of fractious federalism includes the difficulty of taking cohesive action on national issues due to different states pursuing their own policies, leading to inconsistencies and potential confrontations with federal mandates.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fractious federalism refers to a system where the relationship between the federal government and states is marked by discord, disagreement, or competition. A key consequence of fractious federalism is the difficulty in achieving cohesive action on issues that are of national importance. The overarching challenge in such a scenario is that different states may pursue their own policies, which can lead to inconsistencies and, in some cases, confrontations with federal mandates. For instance, the use of unfunded mandates as a means of coercive federalism can cause disagreements, as the federal government sets national priorities but passes the cost on to states. Furthermore, political dynamics such as venue shopping by interest groups can complicate the policy landscape as groups seek the most sympathetic governmental level for their agendas.