Federalism Digests | Center for the Study of Federalism https://federalism.org/library/category/federalism-digests/ A Nonpartisan Research Institution Dedicated to Studying and Researching the Theory and Practice of Federalism Fri, 20 Feb 2026 19:34:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://federalism.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/CSF-Icon-Color@0.5x-100x100.png Federalism Digests | Center for the Study of Federalism https://federalism.org/library/category/federalism-digests/ 32 32 170862320 Who are rural voters and what’s their place in our federalism? https://federalism.org/library/federalism-digests/who-are-rural-voters-and-whats-their-place-in-our-federalism/ Fri, 20 Feb 2026 19:34:36 +0000 https://federalism.org/?p=12276 Many accounts of partisan polarization emphasize the disproportionate and perhaps unfair advantages rural voters have because of federal institutions. Some even say that federalism, through the Senate, Electoral College, and...

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]]> 12276 The states’ constitutional responsibility to sound the alarm https://federalism.org/library/federalism-digests/12218/ Thu, 05 Feb 2026 22:37:28 +0000 https://federalism.org/?p=12218 In December 2025, more than 40 bipartisan state legislative leaders from over 30 states, working through the National Conference of State Legislatures, issued a resolution titled “Federalism Restoration and State Empowerment.” This resolution reflects an important tradition that dates back to the founding and deserves attention in K-12 classrooms . . . Although states may attempt to limit national power in ways such as withholding cooperation, exerting political pressure, and challenging federal authority through legal and institutional channels, this Digest focuses on the role and responsibility of state governments to “sound the alarm” when the federal government exceeds its authority.

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]]> 12218 Using Post-DOBBS Interstate Abortion Issues to Teach Federalism https://federalism.org/library/federalism-digests/using-post-dobbs-interstate-abortion-issues-to-teach-federalism/ Fri, 13 Jun 2025 23:15:21 +0000 https://federalism.org/?p=11571 Competent American citizenship and governance require an understanding of federalism. Analysis of post-Dobbs interstate abortion issues highlight very important features of and debates about federalism for students.

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]]> 11571 Teaching About Impacts of the Federal Debt on State and Local Governments https://federalism.org/library/federalism-digests/11190/ Tue, 18 Feb 2025 14:40:52 +0000 https://federalism.org/?p=11190 Good citizenship requires an understanding of the impacts of the federal debt across America’s federal system. The $36.2 trillion federal debt, which is the total amount of money the federal government has borrowed over recent decades to pay its expenses, plays a critical role in how Americans govern themselves. The manner in which the debt is issued and managed also has important implications for state and local governments, such as their ability to undertake infrastructure projects. This digest explores the interconnectedness of federal debt and state and local governments and how teachers may approach these issues with students.

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]]> 11190 Teaching about State Constitutions https://federalism.org/library/federalism-digests/11181/ Tue, 18 Feb 2025 14:20:04 +0000 https://federalism.org/?p=11181 State constitutions have long played an important role in American government, yet they are often neglected in K-12 classrooms.

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]]> 11181 Federalism Digest: Peaceful Transfers of Power In Our Federal System https://federalism.org/library/federalism-digests/federalism-digest-peaceful-transfers-of-power-in-our-federal-system/ Fri, 25 Oct 2024 19:36:10 +0000 https://federalism.org/?p=10887 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 is its tradition of peaceful electoral...

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]]> 10887 Federalism Digest: What is Federalism? A Cultural Perspective https://federalism.org/library/federalism-digests/explains-how-federal-systems-of-government-are-influenced-by-popular-culture/ Fri, 25 Oct 2024 19:29:26 +0000 https://federalism.org/?p=10873 The post Federalism Digest: What is Federalism? A Cultural Perspective appeared first on Center for the Study of Federalism.

]]> 10873 Federalism Through a Transgender Lens https://federalism.org/library/federalism-digests/how-federalism-influences-transgender-policies/ Wed, 11 Sep 2024 21:47:58 +0000 https://federalism.org/?p=10705 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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]]> 10705 Why States Matter https://federalism.org/library/federalism-digests/10524/ Mon, 22 Jul 2024 19:32:17 +0000 https://federalism.org/?p=10524 “The states, be they large or small, coastal or landlocked, wealthy or poor, play essential roles in the functioning of American federalism. In some ways, states may matter more now...

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]]> 10524 Policy Diffusion among the U.S. States (May 2024) https://federalism.org/library/federalism-digests/policy-diffusion-among-the-u-s-states/ Sat, 15 Jun 2024 04:35:52 +0000 https://federalism.org/?p=10383 The states are policy innovators, developing new solutions to many of the most pressing issues facing the country.

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]]> 10383 Federalism Documents Reader  https://federalism.org/library/federalism-digests/federalism-documents-reader/ Tue, 10 Oct 2023 04:28:00 +0000 https://federalism.org/?p=9828 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 can be viewed here. 

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]]> 9828 Native Sovereignty: An Essential Element of Indigenous Nations https://federalism.org/library/federalism-digests/native-sovereignty-an-essential-element-of-indigenous-nations/ Mon, 02 Oct 2023 00:50:03 +0000 https://federalism.org/?p=9642 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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]]> 9642 Controversies in Redistricting: Apportionment and Gerrymandering in America’s Federal System https://federalism.org/library/federalism-digests/controversies-in-redistricting-apportionment-and-gerrymandering-in-americas-federal-system/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 00:39:12 +0000 https://federalism.org/?p=9631 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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