1. What are the two sides in the argument over "sanctuary cities"?
People who support Trump generally support stricter immigration policies and thus want to restrict or even outlaw sanctuary cities while the opposition now finds sanctuary cities more important than ever in the context of the current administration's stance on immigration.
People who support Trump generally support stricter immigration policies and thus want to restrict or even outlaw sanctuary cities while the opposition now finds sanctuary cities more important than ever in the context of the current administration's stance on immigration.
2. What does Chester mean by "distributism"?
Distribution means giving power to make economic and political decisions to very local levels of government. Chesterton claimed this would allow for more personalized policies, oppose imperialism, stand against big businesses and monopolies, and ardent patriotism.
Distribution means giving power to make economic and political decisions to very local levels of government. Chesterton claimed this would allow for more personalized policies, oppose imperialism, stand against big businesses and monopolies, and ardent patriotism.
3. How do liberals and conservatives tend to feel about devolution?
Devolution is usually supported by conservatives, who champion small national government and states' rights, and opposed by liberals with mostly opposite views.
Devolution is usually supported by conservatives, who champion small national government and states' rights, and opposed by liberals with mostly opposite views.
4. Why do liberals find themselves increasingly supporting devolution?
Many liberal cities have passed local laws to address issues that the national government has not addressed due to gridlock, but their efforts have been stymied by state governments. Liberals in conservative states would favor having more powers at the city level so that they could implement policies that suit them even if people outside of the city did not like them.
Many liberal cities have passed local laws to address issues that the national government has not addressed due to gridlock, but their efforts have been stymied by state governments. Liberals in conservative states would favor having more powers at the city level so that they could implement policies that suit them even if people outside of the city did not like them.
5. How does the author use the abortion issue to explain problems with federalism?
Abortion is a highly contested issue, and both sides want one law about it in all of America. However, the author believes it is unrealistic for all people in America to be satisfied with a national law on abortion because the views are so polarized. Legalized abortion due to Roe v. Wade has led to many people only voting based on that one issue.
Abortion is a highly contested issue, and both sides want one law about it in all of America. However, the author believes it is unrealistic for all people in America to be satisfied with a national law on abortion because the views are so polarized. Legalized abortion due to Roe v. Wade has led to many people only voting based on that one issue.
6. What prevents the local governments from solving more political questions locally?
Many federal statutes and parts of the Constitution prevent local governments from making decisions because there are already national standards in place.
Many federal statutes and parts of the Constitution prevent local governments from making decisions because there are already national standards in place.
7. Why does the author argue that conservatives would not really make drastic cuts to social programs?
Older people, who make up the majority of conservatives, want to keep their benefits, so it is unlikely that they would take away the social programs that help them,
Older people, who make up the majority of conservatives, want to keep their benefits, so it is unlikely that they would take away the social programs that help them,
8. How would people be likely to respond if states were able to have more varied policies?
Unhappy residents to move to different states with policies they like better, thus increasing other states' population and power, so states would avoid extreme changes to remain "competitive" among the states.
Unhappy residents to move to different states with policies they like better, thus increasing other states' population and power, so states would avoid extreme changes to remain "competitive" among the states.
9. Why does the author argue that conservatives should end their opposition to sanctuary cities?
It is hypocritical to advocate for devolution, which means giving more power to local governments, while opposing sanctuary cities, which are a display of local power.
It is hypocritical to advocate for devolution, which means giving more power to local governments, while opposing sanctuary cities, which are a display of local power.
10. What does the author mean by "True federalism is painful"?
He says it is painful because such a system would allow places with people who hold very different views from you to implement policies that reflect those views. The cost of having policies your locality likes would be allowing other places to have policies that you hate.
He says it is painful because such a system would allow places with people who hold very different views from you to implement policies that reflect those views. The cost of having policies your locality likes would be allowing other places to have policies that you hate.
11. What do you anticipate would be the biggest problem if more local governments had more control over policy?
While cities or states would be happier and more unified, the nation could be more fragmented and polarized. This division would come as a result of residents leaving states that they disliked and moving to places with like-minded individuals, leaving no "swing states." However, those who lack the money or are otherwise unable to move away could be stuck in a community that has the opposite view from theirs and that creates many policies they dislike.
article: https://www.vox.com/the-big-idea/2017/8/21/16176578/localism-sanctuary-cities-federalism-conservative-case
While cities or states would be happier and more unified, the nation could be more fragmented and polarized. This division would come as a result of residents leaving states that they disliked and moving to places with like-minded individuals, leaving no "swing states." However, those who lack the money or are otherwise unable to move away could be stuck in a community that has the opposite view from theirs and that creates many policies they dislike.
article: https://www.vox.com/the-big-idea/2017/8/21/16176578/localism-sanctuary-cities-federalism-conservative-case
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