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Category: Federalism Digests

Federalism Digests

October 25, 2024

Federalism Digest: Peaceful Transfers of Power In Our Federal System

During this presidential election year, as the candidates joust with rhetorical and emotional appeals, we should remember that one of America’s greatest political achievements…

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Federalism Digests

September 11, 2024

Federalism Through a Transgender Lens

Many current issues—including those that directly apply to K-12 schools—can best be taught and understood through a federalism perspective. Federalism is consequential, for example, in teaching about transgender people and identities. To what extent and in what ways should public schools include transgender topics in the curriculum, regulate restroom use, or restrict athletic participation?

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Federalism Digests

July 22, 2024

Why States Matter

"The states, be they large or small, coastal or landlocked, wealthy or poor, play essential roles in the functioning of American federalism. In some…

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Federalism Digests

June 15, 2024

Policy Diffusion among the U.S. States (May 2024)

The states are policy innovators, developing new solutions to many of the most pressing issues facing the country.

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Federalism Digests

October 10, 2023

Federalism Documents Reader 

CSF Fellow, John Dinan, has created a reader, Federalism: Core Documents.  It is downloadable for free as a pdf here. A recent interview of Dinan about the reader…

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Federalism Digests

October 1, 2023

Native Sovereignty: An Essential Element of Indigenous Nations

The U.S. Supreme Court recently shifted judicial gears by reaffirming U.S. treaty obligations and Native sovereignty. What is Native sovereignty, why is it important, and how do Native Nations coexist with America’s federal system? 

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Federalism Digests

August 1, 2023

Controversies in Redistricting: Apportionment and Gerrymandering in America’s Federal System

In a federal democracy, how should voters get to choose their representatives? What roles should elected representatives play in deciding who will elect them? This digest explores redistricting controversies across America’s federated election system.

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Federalism Digests

July 1, 2023

The Electoral College: Combining Democracy and Federalism

The Electoral College is one of the most fascinating and controversial institutions of American federalism.  Do you know why the framers of the U.S. Constitution created this presidential election system?

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Federalism Digests

May 1, 2023

What’s Federalism Got to do with Trump’s Indictment?

Everyone knows the indictment of former Republican president, Donald J. Trump, is unprecedented. But what unprecedented facets of federalism underlie the indictment? The case sheds light on federalism as a key facet of American governance.

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Federalism Digests

March 1, 2023

The Baby-Formula Crisis as a Lesson in Federalism

A careful analysis of the crisis casts light on the complex federal structures that affect the production, distribution, and consumption of baby formula. What does this crisis tell us about our federal system, and how can this case be used by students and teachers?

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Federalism Digests

January 1, 2023

Political Noise, CRT, and School Governance: A Federalism Perspective

Whether Critical Race Theory (CRT) should be taught in public schools triggers polarized views and high levels of political noise across the federal system.

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Federalism Digests

November 1, 2022

The New Abortion Federalism: What’s Next for the States?

In Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022), the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade (1973), thus returning basic abortion policy to the 50 states, District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the Center for the Study of Federalism (CSF)?

The Center for the Study of Federalism (CSF) is a nonpartisan, interdisciplinary research and education institution dedicated to supporting and advancing scholarship and public understanding of federal theories, principles, institutions, and processes as practical means of organizing power in free societies.

Who are the Fellows at the Center for the Study of Federalism?

All of the CSF Fellows hold advanced degrees, are affiliated with academic institutions, and are scholarly experts in their fields. For more on each Fellow see CSF Fellows.

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Most political and public issues in the United States are influenced to some extent by its federal system. Yet many do not understand that system. The CSF website seeks to foster a better understanding among the general public and scholars of federal governing systems generally and, specifically, of the federal system of government in the United States of America.

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Federalism Matters Podcast

Federalism is American government’s best kept secret. Its influence is pervasive and profound. Though not mentioned in the Constitution, federalism’s meaning and application have been at the center of disputes from 1776 to the Civil War to our current culture wars. We are scholars who focus on federalism, and through this podcast, we explore how federalism, from practice to theory, shapes our politics, policies, culture, society, and daily life.

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The Federalism Minute

Federalism’s influence on American government, culture and society is pervasive and profound, yet often unexplored. This short podcast examines single, practical topics to show how federalism’s influence is real and relevant in average citizens’ daily lives.

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