The hottest Statehood Substack posts right now

Treating Zionism as a universal model for national revival ignores that modern nationalism often leads to violence, empire-building, and exclusion, so Israel’s example isn’t a simple blueprint.
If Zionism is a “technology” anyone can use, Palestinians would legitimately claim their own national project on the same land, making “Zionism for everyone” politically inconsistent unless it reckons with how to share or divide sovereignty.
Nationalist ideologies need limits set from outside themselves; promoting more nationalism without those limits is mainly an emotional appeal that risks real human costs like displacement and ongoing violence.

Republicans rushed to admit western territories as new states to gain senators and Electoral College votes, splitting territories and fast-tracking statehood to tilt national power in their favor.
That strategy didn’t secure long-term control because economic troubles, unpopular tariff policies, and scandals helped Democrats and Populists win big gains in the 1890 midterms and elect Grover Cleveland in 1892.
Critics argued these actions distorted democratic representation—tiny new states got outsized Senate power, and officials sometimes manipulated votes and the census for partisan advantage.

If Greenland were to become a state, it wouldn't make sense for it to be prioritized over Washington, DC and Puerto Rico, which have larger populations and are already part of the U.S.
Washington, DC has been paying federal taxes and has served in the military, showing a solid commitment that supports its case for statehood.
Many of the arguments against DC and Puerto Rico becoming states seem politically motivated, rather than based on fair criteria, as these areas meet basic requirements for statehood.

Puerto Rico's statehood has become a hot topic after Hurricane Maria, with many believing it could improve federal responses to disasters. There's ongoing discussion in Congress about adding Puerto Rico and Washington, DC as new states.
To create a new state, Congress needs to pass a law, and the process isn't complicated. However, statehood can change political power, leading to lots of debates and negotiations over who gets admitted and how.
Public support in Puerto Rico is divided about statehood, with past votes showing mixed results. Congress is unlikely to admit Puerto Rico without clear majority support from its residents in upcoming voting.

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.
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.
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.

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Newt Gingrich proposed building a permanent base on the moon, reflecting ongoing interest in space colonization. This idea goes back to his 1981 legislation about space territories.
The process of granting statehood has historically faced numerous complications, largely due to Congress having too much discretion without clear rules. This caused political challenges and tensions in the past.
Gingrich's plan for moon statehood shares problems with earlier proposals. It lacks constitutional backing, leaving room for Congress to change the rules easily later on.