Ilya Somin: How federalism can help minorities and the poor
“When it comes to the poor and minorities, American federalism has a dubious reputation, arising from the history of state and local governments protecting slavery, enforcing racial segregation, and otherwise oppressing minority groups. There is an element of truth in that negative image. But federalism has also often given the poor, minorities, and immigrants, valuable opportunities to better their lot by ‘voting with their feet.’ And policy reforms can make federalism an even better tool for promoting freedom and opportunity….”