The hottest Federalism Substack posts right now

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Top U.S. Politics Topics

What I think DOGE is really up to

Noahpinion • 26588 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Elections Ideology Federalism
  1. DOGE is a massive operation that seems focused on reshaping the federal government rather than just cutting costs. People are worried about what it’s doing, but its main aim may be to change the mindset of government workers.
  2. The push to change the federal workforce's ideology may be influenced by the belief that it leans too far left. This could lead to a shift in how government programs function and who runs them.
  3. Understanding DOGE's real purpose is important because it's moving quickly and often in secrecy. Instead of just reacting to its actions, we should be thinking about its long-term effects on government and society.

Alberta Clipper

Doomberg • 6739 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Debate Energy Politics Federalism
  1. Canada has huge oil resources known as the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, which can supply energy for over a century.
  2. There is ongoing conflict between Alberta's provincial government and the federal government over climate policies and emissions caps that could hurt Alberta's oil industry.
  3. The battle between local and federal powers in Canada is heating up, especially with approaching elections bringing more attention to these energy issues.

Will Belgium become Europe's next hard-right government?

Gulf Stream Blues • 19 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🌍 World Politics Political Systems European Politics Federalism Nationalism
  1. Belgium is experiencing a rise in far-right politics, similar to trends in Italy and the Netherlands. This means more far-right parties could gain power in Europe.
  2. The New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) has been the largest party in Belgium for years, advocating for more regional control and less federal influence. They want a system where regions manage their own taxes.
  3. Belgium's complicated political system is affecting its unity, with ongoing debates about taxation and regional independence. Many believe the country functions more like separate states instead of a united nation.

Am I a Democrat or a Republican?

The Novelleist • 836 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Ideology Bipartisanship Public Policy Federalism Economic Policy
  1. It's okay to mix ideas from both Democrats and Republicans. You can believe in a strong economy while also caring about worker rights and environmental issues.
  2. Labels like 'Democrat' or 'Republican' can limit how we think about solutions to problems. Focusing on what we want to achieve together can help us find common ground.
  3. Instead of being stuck in party lines, we should talk about real solutions that improve people's lives. Working together is better than arguing over which side is right.

Alexander Hamilton Did too Believe in "Industrial Policy"!!

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 176 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economic Policy Political History Government Industrial Policy Federalism
  1. Alexander Hamilton supported the idea of using government policies to help grow local industries. He believed that controlling foreign competition can actually help American goods become cheaper over time.
  2. Hamilton thought that while tariffs might raise prices temporarily, they could lead to long-term benefits for domestic manufacturers and even help farmers by making goods more affordable.
  3. Critics of Hamilton miss the point that he advocated for state involvement in the economy to promote national growth, which is a form of planned economic strategy.
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Revenge of the Statesmen

Adam's Legal Newsletter • 539 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Judicial Elections Constitution Federalism
  1. Marbury v. Madison case set a precedent where judicial decisions can have questionable rationales but still deliver impactful results
  2. In the Trump v. Anderson case, the Supreme Court aimed for practical solutions, left doors open for legislative action, and made decisions that balanced unanimity with legitimacy
  3. States should have the authority to apply federal law, including constitutional law, without needing explicit permission, as highlighted by the issues faced in the Trump v. Anderson case

A sucuri aperta o abraço

O Observador de Corcyra • 275 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Reform Taxation Federalism Economic Development Legislation
  1. The reform on regional development attached to the tax reform intensifies the extraction of income from society towards regional groups outlined in the 1988 Constitution.
  2. The new tax levied through the reform merges five indirect taxes, creating the largest tax of its kind globally, aiming to increase productivity and reduce tax disputes in Brazil.
  3. The approval of the reform will centralize fiscal autonomy in states, limiting their ability to adjust tax rates based on economic needs and creating additional federal transfer funds, perpetuating income extraction from more developed to less developed regions.

Too Big for Fascism

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 37 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political parties Governance Federalism Political Ideologies
  1. The presidential election is very close, and either candidate could win. Both parties shouldn't be too confident, as polls show a tight race in key states.
  2. The idea that Trump represents fascism is debated, but the US's complex system of federalism makes it harder for any one leader to impose such control. The many local and state governments act as a barrier.
  3. Historically, America's institutions have proven resilient, and they are unlikely to be easily dismantled. Even if Trump were to win, significant changes to democracy or governance wouldn't happen overnight.

federalism fixes this

bad cattitude • 179 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Democracy Federalism Legislation Senate
  1. In a free market, consumer choices provide valuable information to producers, leading to better products and services.
  2. Monopolies created by governments can disrupt market mechanisms like pricing signals and consumer sovereignty, resulting in inefficiencies.
  3. The 17th Amendment fundamentally changed the US government structure by shifting power away from states' representation in the Senate to direct election by the people, impacting federalism and democratic principles.

It turns out we can, in fact, build things. Time to build sidewalks.

Exasperated Infrastructures • 19 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Infrastructure Federalism Safety Leadership Budgeting
  1. Emphasize the importance of building and maintaining infrastructure like sidewalks to improve safety and reduce pedestrian fatalities.
  2. Highlight the need for collaboration and coordination between different levels of government and private entities to address infrastructure challenges.
  3. Call for leadership from government officials and active participation from citizens to advocate for necessary infrastructure improvements.

On The Idea of Repealing the 17th Amendment

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 08 Sep 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Constitution Federalism Elections Legislation Governance
  1. Repealing the 17th Amendment would mean that state legislatures, not the people, would choose Senators again. Some people think this could make Senators focus more on state interests.
  2. Many argue that direct election of Senators helps reduce corruption and ensures that states are represented fairly. They worry about empty seats and political manipulation when legislators choose Senators.
  3. Changing how Senators are elected might change who can become a Senator. Elections could favor more seasoned politicians, rather than regular people, which could affect the diversity of the Senate.

On federalism, pot, and this November

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 08 Jul 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Federalism Political strategy State Rights
  1. If California legalizes marijuana, it could change the marijuana market in the whole country. Prices would likely drop and the state could make over a billion dollars in taxes.
  2. The federal government might struggle to enforce its marijuana laws if states keep changing theirs. This could cause conflicts, especially as more states consider legalization.
  3. Politicians in California might support legalization if the people vote for it. If it passes big, they could push back against federal laws and become advocates for marijuana rights.

Understanding the Significance of James Madison

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 14 Dec 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Founding Fathers Federalism
  1. James Madison is considered the most influential of all the founding fathers due to his crucial role in creating the nation's foundation.
  2. Madison's work during the Constitutional Convention and in drafting The Federalist Papers helped shape critical aspects of America's foundation, including federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, and individual rights.
  3. His efforts leading up to the ratification of the Constitution by all thirteen colonies in 1789 have had a lasting impact on the United States, influencing how the nation operates even today.

His Majesty’s Federation? Questioning the Royalist Hypothesis

Hunter’s Substack • 0 implied HN points • 09 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidential Power American Revolution Federalism Monarchy
  1. The American Revolution was not just against monarchy but also against overbearing legislative power.
  2. Scholar Eric Nelson argues that the American executive was intended to have royal-esque powers.
  3. Federalism and the limited powers of the federal government are crucial aspects often overlooked in discussions about executive authority.

My Political Vision

Neosapien’s Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🌍 World Politics Federalism Democracy Constitutional Rights
  1. Federalism is proposed as the most just way to organize society, with decentralized government and regional sovereignty.
  2. Democracy is emphasized with specific rules for presidential elections, separation of powers, and accountability mechanisms.
  3. Concrete political propositions include military independence, specific education policies, law enforcement measures, and constitutional rights.

DC statehood and political self-interest: Where are the flag makers?

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 22 Feb 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Federalism Lobbying
  1. DC statehood could mean a lot of flags need to be replaced, which has a big impact on flag manufacturers. If DC becomes a state, every flag in the country would have to change.
  2. Most people decide political issues based on self-interest, especially economic factors. This means statehood movements often don’t get support since many don’t see clear benefits for themselves.
  3. Flag manufacturers could actually have a powerful reason to push for statehood. They might want to lobby for states to be added regularly, turning it into a profitable business opportunity.

Monday APD Blogging: Civil War and Western Politcial Development

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 07 Nov 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil War Political Development Historical Analysis Federalism
  1. The Civil War changed many important parts of American politics, like how states were formed and the power of the federal government. This period shaped the U.S. we know today.
  2. War often leads to big political changes. The Civil War pushed Congress to make quick decisions about new territories and statehood in the West, which wouldn’t have happened without the conflict.
  3. By the end of the Civil War, the political map of the West was set, with new states and territories established. This laid the groundwork for the future of American politics, shifting focus away from slavery issues to new regional interests.

A Thing Worth Reading

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 08 Oct 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties Federalism Election Process
  1. The Lincoln-Douglas debates show how two politicians, Lincoln and Douglas, had different views on slavery despite being on the same side politically. Their discussions highlight the complex opinions in the North, with both men arguing from various perspectives on a divisive issue.
  2. Douglas criticized the Republican Party for being too regional and failing to have a national stance, while Lincoln emphasized the moral wrongness of slavery. This reveals a deep divide in how they approached political and moral questions surrounding slavery.
  3. The debates also shed light on the problems of state elections being influenced by national politics. This situation pushed for the change to direct voting for senators, allowing voters more freedom in choosing state representatives without interference from national concerns.