Here are thirteen lessons providing easy explanations about the basis for Making America STATES Again.
Click here to listen to the audio versions of these lessons.
- Lesson 1: State Sovereignty, Federalism, and the Right to Refuse Unconstitutional Federal Acts
- Lesson 2: Understanding State Sovereignty, Federalism, and States’ Rights
- Lesson 3: The Treaty of Paris and State Sovereignty in Early America
- Lesson 4: Understanding State Sovereignty and Federalism Through the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
- Lesson 5: The Constitution as a Compact Between Sovereign States
- Lesson 6: Applying Contract Law to Understand the Compact Theory of the Constitution
- Lesson 7: Nullification in Practice
- Lesson 8: Nullification — A Solo or a Chorus?
- Lesson 9: Overcoming “Potomac Fever” and Restoring Constitutional Governance
- Lesson 10: Party Above Principle — The Rise of Partisan Politics and the Erosion of State Sovereignty
- Lesson 11: What Would Jefferson Do? — Defending Nullification and State Sovereignty
- Lesson 12: Madison’s Confidence in State Resistance and the Reality of Modern Federalism
- Lesson 13: The Storm of Statism and the Remedy of State Sovereignty
Lesson 4: Understanding State Sovereignty and Federalism Through the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions of 1798, authored by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, are key documents for understanding the principles of state sovereignty and federalism. The principles set forth in these documents are as relevant today as they were over two centuries ago. By understanding them, citizens and state legislators can better appreciate the constitutional wisdom of nullification as a tool to resist federal overreach.
Lesson 5: The Constitution as a Compact Between Sovereign States
Understanding that the Constitution is a compact between sovereign states is essential for grasping the nature of American federalism and the limits of federal power. This principle underscores the authority of states to resist and nullify unconstitutional actions by the federal government.
Lesson 6: Applying Contract Law to Understand the Compact Theory of the Constitution
To fully grasp the compact theory of the Constitution, it’s helpful to compare it to concepts in contract law. This analogy can make the principles more accessible and understandable, particularly for those who may not be familiar with the historical and legal nuances of early American governance.