States' Rights

States' rights in U.S. politics refers to political powers reserved for the U.S. state governments rather than the federal government. Since the 1940s, it has often been considered a loaded term because of its use in opposition to federally mandated racial desegregation. In law, states' prerogatives are protected by the Tenth Amendment.

Read more about States' Rights:  Background, Text, Controversy To 1865, Since 1865, Contemporary Debates, 10th Amendment Resolutions, States' Rights and The Rehnquist Court, States' Rights As "code Word"

Famous quotes containing the word rights:

    A wife is property that one acquires by contract, she is transferable, because possession of her requires title; in fact, woman is, so to speak, only man’s appendage; consequently, slice, cut, clip her, you have all rights to her.
    HonorĂ© De Balzac (1799–1850)