Current News, Analyses, Events, Publications & Personalities
In the interests of intellectual discourse, the Center for the Study of Federalism posts diverse viewpoints. The views we post do not necessarily represent the views of the Center.
Judicial Federalism, Felix Frankfurter, and the Future of Abstention
POSTED | Oct 20, 2020
Lael Weinberger, noting that in its first 150 years the U.S. Supreme Court never used the word "federalism," considers Justice Felix Frankfurter's use of the...More
Can Governors Veto Legislation Relating to Presidential Elections?
POSTED | Oct 20, 2020
Nathaniel Rubin examines whether, under the U.S. Constitution, governors have the power to veto a state legislature’s bill governing presidential elections. Read more here.
National Constitution Center Federalism Special
POSTED | Oct 15, 2020
The National Constitution Center has produced a "Scholar Exchange" video about federalism with Jeffrey Rosen and a special guest -- Thomas Jefferson! You can watch...More
Can Federalism Operate Without Constitutionalism?
POSTED | Oct 15, 2020
Berihun Adugna Gebeye compares the federal systems of Nigeria and Ethiopia to explore whether federalism can operate without constitutionalism. Read more here.
A Recentralization of German Power from the States to the National Government?
POSTED | Oct 14, 2020
Hellmut Wollmann investigates the extent to which recentralization has occurred in Germany during the last several decades. Read more here.
Does California's Zero-Emissions Plan Conflict with Federal Law?
POSTED | Oct 14, 2020
Julia Stein explores whether California's 2035 ban of gas-powered vehicles could run afoul of the federal government's authority under the Clean Air Act. Read more...More
Is American Federalism "Just a Memory"?
POSTED | Oct 13, 2020
James Buckley contends that federalism in the United States "is just a memory," but that an "effective federalism" could be restored if Congress would strip...More
Update on Ethiopian Federalism
POSTED | Oct 13, 2020
Ian Bremmer examines Ethiopia's system of ethnic federalism and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's efforts to move the nation toward more of a "secular federalism" form...More
FTA Grants for Public Transportation Safety
POSTED | Oct 12, 2020
The Federal Transportation Administration is offering grants to localities to study the spread of the coronavirus on public transportation. Read more here.
Is Agricultural Legislation a Missed Opportunity for Cooperative Federalism?
POSTED | Oct 12, 2020
Yamini Aiyar and Mekhala Krishnamurthy write that the Indian national government's recent agricultural legislation is little more than "political bulldozing" rather than a genuine effort...More
Discussion of Pandemic's Challenges to Federalism
POSTED | Oct 09, 2020
Constitutional scholar Aziz Huq recently participated in a virtual discussion with the American Constitution Society about how the coronavirus pandemic has challenged the federal government...More
EPA Seeks to Review State and Local Recycling Strategies
POSTED | Oct 09, 2020
The Environmental Protection Agency has released a draft recycling strategy that recommends carrying out analyses of state and local recycling policies. Read more here.
Conference on Federalism and Intergovernmental Partnerships
POSTED | Oct 08, 2020
On October 21, the National Association of Counties will host a virtual conference titled "Examining Federalism and the Intergovernmental Partnership." Read more here.
A "New Climate Federalism"?
POSTED | Oct 08, 2020
A group of writers contend that climate change can be addressed through a new climate federalism. Read more here.
The Pandemic and the Reemergence of Canadian Federalism
POSTED | Oct 07, 2020
Ken Coates examines the coronavirus pandemic and the "untimely reemergence" of Canadian federalism. Read more here.