The Secession Option

Exploring the History, Constitutionality and Viability of Secession

De: Doug Erlandson

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

Is secession from the United States a practical option? In "The Secession Option," Dr. Doug Erlandson looks at the history of secession movements as well as their current viability. Beginning with an examination of the Declaration of Independence as a secessionist document, Erlandson goes on to argue that the United States Constitution does not outlaw secession. (In fact, the Constitution doesn't even mention secession.) Erlandson contends that the frequent appearance of secessionist movements in both the North and the South prior to the Civil War is evidence that secession was widely thought to be constitutional. In fact, it was only with the rise of the nationalist movement in the country around 1840 that a significant number of politicians were willing to argue that it was unconstitutional. For approximately a century after the Civil War secessionist movements were few and far between. This was due not so much to a belief in their unconstitutionality, but rather because of a growing spirit of pride (except in the South) in the United States as a unified country. At the same time, particularly after 1900, the power of the federal government increased at the expense of the states. This increase can be traced to the Progressive Movement of the last decade of the nineteenth and the early twentieth century, FDR's New Deal, and Lyndon Johnson's "Great Society" legislation, as well as the burgeoning power of the federal courts, particularly after the middle of the twentieth century. This has led to a growing tension between the "Blue States" that dominate the two coasts and are generally more urban and the "Red States," which are located in the mid-section of the country, and whose population is, on the whole, less urban and is more likely to have traditional values. As the coastal urban elites seek to recreate the country according to their vision, the more conservative elements in the country's midsection become more and more alienated. That numerous secessionist movements have appeared over the past few decades is testimony to this feeling of alienation. Having examined the motivation for secession, Erlandson discusses the issues that will have to be dealt with if a state or region of the country chooses to secede, such as the transfer of federal property (e.g., a national park) to the seceding state or the status of the Social Security accounts of those who live in a territory that is no longer part of the United States. The author also examines ways in which a state or region can gain a degree of autonomy short of secession––such as through the nullification process or through permitting states "confederation" status, whereby they remain united for purposes of defense from foreign and domestic enemies, the minting of a common coin, and other functions best cared for by a common government, but are granted autonomy in other areas. Although "The Secession Option" is written primarily for a politically and socially conservative audience, those who are not conservatives will find much of value in its pages.