Dr. Troy E. Smith, Director of the Constitutional Federalism Initiative
America's current federal system relies on three "crumbling pillars" of centralized
power that, if left unchanged, will likely lead to "crisis and conflict." Navigating
modern challenges, fostering national unity, and preserving American diversity can
best be achieved by returning to a more constitutional distribution of powers between
the national and state governments.
Dr. Troy E. Smith
Many today falsely think that national unity requires uniformity. While the word "federalism" is never specifically mentioned in the Constitution—and is often misunderstood and maligned—it remains the foundation of the American republic. Instead of resigning to the political gridlock caused by this misconception, Smith argues that returning to the constitutional balance of national "shared-rule" and local "self-rule" provides a better means to address collective problems while preserving community autonomy. Read the full piece to learn how the original 1787 blueprint for self-government might be the surprising solution to our modern divide.
Representative Jason Thompson
While federalism might sound like a concept pulled from a "dusty civics textbook," it is actually the most practical tool we have to "restore trust, encourage innovation, and preserve our democratic institutions." Recent lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and Utah's proactive legislative leadership demonstrates that local leaders are inherently better equipped to address local needs. He advocates for a dynamic, forward-looking vision of federalism—not replicating the past, but building a modern partnership where the federal government protects constitutional rights while states serve their unique communities.
Ken Ivory, Jennifer Dailey-Provost, Keven Stratton, Karen Kwan
When every national election feels like an existential fight for survival, it is clear
evidence that too much governing power has shifted from the states to the federal
government. Returning to James Madison's vision of a 'compound republic' is the most
effective way to de-escalate national conflict and reduce polarization. Highlighting
Utah's bipartisan passage of HB488 and the launch of the National Federalism Initiative,
Ivory argues that federalism is not a partisan tool to weaken government, but a structural
necessity to increase not only accountability and responsiveness, but also overall
effectiveness. By restoring the proper balance of power, both progressives and conservatives
win—protecting our country's liberty, empowering state-level innovation, and placing
accountability back in the hands of the leaders closest to the people.
Jason E. Thompson
In the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination, Utah Representative Jason E. Thompson
traces America's rising political violence back to a broken governing structure. He
argues that by nationalizing every issue—from education to healthcare—we force a diverse
nation of 330 million people into endless, zero-sum conflicts. When local issues are
elevated to the federal stage, everyday political disagreements are treated as existential
threats. Thompson makes the case that decentralizing power back to the states is the
only practical way to cool off our national politics. Reclaiming federalism allows
communities to hold differing values without tearing the country apart to enforce
uniformity.
Representative Jason Thompson
While intense polarization and partisan battles dominate national headlines, the most critical threat to American governance is not political, but structural. Over the past century, power has dangerously concentrated in the federal executive branch, disrupting the Founders' design of checked and balanced authority. Representative Jason Thompson argues that the solution to restoring this balance lies not in Washington, but in the states. Highlighting Utah’s passage of HB488, he illustrates how states must assert their role as active, co-equal partners rather than subordinates. Ultimately, Thompson contends that shifting the national focus away from partisan scorekeeping and back to the structural principles of federalism is the most effective way to "defang" political disputes and rebuild public trust.
