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:
“Whilst the rights of all as persons are equal, in virtue of their access to reason, their rights in property are very unequal. One man owns his clothes, and another owns a country.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)