The Ongoing Crisis of Federalism

Should we abolish the states? Are we headed for a national breakup? The term “federalism” describes the relationship between the central government and the states. Over time, the United States has moved from powerful states and a weak central government to the chaos of the Civil War, to an ever more centralized political system that has greatly marginalized the states. Today, we are increasingly polarized by the issue of federalism. This talk will show the participants how and why our understanding of federalism has changed over time, and why it matters for our lives today. Future opportunities and dangers will be outlined.

Luigi Bradizza, Ph.D., holds a doctorate in politics from the University of Dallas. He is a professor of political science and the chair of the department of political science and international relations at Salve Regina University. He has published several scholarly articles and book chapters on American political thought and political philosophy. He is the author of “Richard T. Ely’s Critique of Capitalism.”