Question of Sovereignty, A: Federalism: Shifting Winds
Federalism is not a fixed principle. It changes as the country's political needs change. During times of national crisis the balance of power tends to shift toward the nation's capital as we saw in the aftermath of 9/11...
Question of Sovereignty, A: Great Society Increases Size of the Federal Government
The Great Society initiatives of Lyndon Johnson's administration tripled the number of federal programs and further tilted the balance of power toward the federal government. Politicians from the South and from conservat..
Question of Sovereignty, A: Perspectives on Federalism
Federalism, quips Jack Rakove, is the one topic in the history of political science that is the toughest to make sense of. Other noted political scientists add their perspectives on the federalist system, talking about t..
Question of Sovereignty, A: Supreme Court's Role in Federalism, The
When conflicts arise over federalism, it is usually up to the Supreme Court to determine which level of government is best authorized to act. Their position has fluctuated throughout history. The commerce clause, often u..
Race and Ethnicity: Who's Who and What's What?
Professor of American studies and history Matthew Frye Jacobson explains that there are differences of opinion as to what constitutes "whiteness." Individual anthropologists or other social scientists do not always agree..
Race and the Accumulation of Wealth
Professor of Sociology and Public Policy Dalton Conley notes that the typical Black family in America today has about one-eighth the net worth of the typical White family. He observes that, despite the Civil Rights gains..
Race in America
Professor of American studies and history Matthew Frye Jacobson argues that race and democracy have been intertwined since the earliest days of the United States. Professor Jacobson contends that, "...race is the most si..
Race, Ethnicity and Family: Diverse American Families
A glimpse into the daily lives of a racially and ethnically diverse group of American families.
Race, Ethnicity and Family: Economics of the African-American Family
Poverty has long been a fact of life in many African-American communities. In part this has been due to discrimination but, more recently, broad-based structural changes in the American economy have also played a part. ..
Race, Ethnicity and Family: Immigrant Families in the United States
Discrimination based on race or ethnicity is an issue that affects and has affected millions of people who have come to the United States to live. When tension and fear are at their highest, as in post 9/11 America, ant..