Throughout American history, decentralists have championed \u201cstates\u2019 rights\u201d as the winning strategy for freedom, but what if that\u2019s not enough? After all, states, in many cases, have themselves become instruments of grave tyranny. What are citizens to do when their own state governments impose onerous restrictions, regulations, and mandates upon them? In recent years, the answer has become clear: local governments can interpose themselves between the citizens and the state government by refusing to uphold unjust laws. Just as states can nullify federal laws, localities can nullify state laws. This offers a way for even very small pockets of the population to defend their natural rights when they\u2019ve been imperiled\u2014a valuable strategy for the modern age.<\/p>\n
Local Governments Can Resist State Tyranny<\/strong><\/h4>\nTraditionally, the theory of nullification has only been applied to the relationship between the states and the federal government. In \u201cFederalist No. 46<\/a>,\u201d James Madison pointed out that states\u2019 \u201crefusal to co-operate with the officers of the Union \u2026 would present obstructions which the federal government would hardly be willing to encounter.\u201d If a state used this strategy to nullify a law, the federal government would be left with no recourse, since it cannot seize control of states\u2019 resources or coerce them into enforcing federal laws.<\/p>\nThis principle\u2014dubbed the \u201canti-commandeering doctrine\u201d\u2014has been\u00a0<\/span>repeatedly affirmed<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>by the Supreme Court. Instead of relying on state authorities, the federal government, in such a case, would have to use its own resources to enforce the law in that state, which\u2014due to budgets and limited manpower\u2014is a costly and rather unlikely enterprise. That\u2019s given this strategy a successful record over the course of the American republic, originally being used to resist the Fugitive Slave Act and federal immigration and drug laws in modern times.<\/p>\nPLEASE VISIT https:\/\/mises.org\/wire\/local-nullification-way-fight-both-state-and-federal-despots<\/a> TO READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE. Click Here to be Redirected!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Conclusion<\/strong><\/h4>\nLocal nullification offers a practical guide to resisting tyranny in a way that reflects the real wishes of local community members against the ivory-tower mentality of their government \u201crepresentatives.\u201d The state must be fought tooth and nail, and\u2014as the most heinous and expropriative criminal of all\u2014it makes sense for sheriffs to have a role in this fight. Civil disobedience is all well and good, but it can often be too time consuming or injurious to those taking part in it, which limits its strategic worth. But sheriffs\u2014who have tangible power and a fair amount of autonomy\u2014can just ignore the laws that warrant disobedience and thus vitalize the efforts of the state\u2019s enemies.<\/p>\n
Short of outright revolution, such local nullification may be the last true refuge for liberty. For now, change at the state and federal levels may be a lost cause, but working bit by bit and county by county, the forces of freedom still have a fighting chance.<\/p>\n
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This principle\u2014dubbed the \u201canti-commandeering doctrine\u201d\u2014has been\u00a0<\/span>repeatedly affirmed<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>by the Supreme Court. Instead of relying on state authorities, the federal government, in such a case, would have to use its own resources to enforce the law in that state, which\u2014due to budgets and limited manpower\u2014is a costly and rather unlikely enterprise. That\u2019s given this strategy a successful record over the course of the American republic, originally being used to resist the Fugitive Slave Act and federal immigration and drug laws in modern times.<\/p>\n PLEASE VISIT https:\/\/mises.org\/wire\/local-nullification-way-fight-both-state-and-federal-despots<\/a> TO READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE. Click Here to be Redirected!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Local nullification offers a practical guide to resisting tyranny in a way that reflects the real wishes of local community members against the ivory-tower mentality of their government \u201crepresentatives.\u201d The state must be fought tooth and nail, and\u2014as the most heinous and expropriative criminal of all\u2014it makes sense for sheriffs to have a role in this fight. Civil disobedience is all well and good, but it can often be too time consuming or injurious to those taking part in it, which limits its strategic worth. But sheriffs\u2014who have tangible power and a fair amount of autonomy\u2014can just ignore the laws that warrant disobedience and thus vitalize the efforts of the state\u2019s enemies.<\/p>\n Short of outright revolution, such local nullification may be the last true refuge for liberty. For now, change at the state and federal levels may be a lost cause, but working bit by bit and county by county, the forces of freedom still have a fighting chance.<\/p>\nConclusion<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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