Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
states-rights
noun
/ˌsteɪts raɪts/
Definition
The political doctrine that the rights and powers of individual states should take precedence over those of the federal government.
Examples
- The debate over states’ rights has been a contentious issue in American politics since the founding of the nation.
- Many southern states invoked the principle of states’ rights during the Civil War era.
- Advocates argue that states’ rights allow for a more localized and responsive governance.
Meaning
States’ rights is the idea that states possess certain rights and political powers that the federal government cannot interfere with or override.
Synonyms
- States’ autonomy
- State sovereignty
- Decentralization
