"If a radical devolution of powers was possible, it would have been done before. The assumption of states' rights is gone. There's no support for it in the Supreme Court and there's no support for it in public opinion"
- James Q. Wilson
About this Quote
This quote by James Q. Wilson recommends that a radical devolution of powers, or the transfer of power from the federal government to the states, is not a practical choice. Wilson suggests that if such a devolution was possible, it would have currently been done. He further suggests that there is no support for such a devolution in either the Supreme Court or popular opinion. This indicates that the concept of states' rights is no longer a popular one, which the federal government is the main source of power in the United States. Wilson's quote recommends that the concept of a radical devolution of powers is not a practical choice, and that the federal government is the primary source of power in the United States.
"Power is not of a man. Wealth does not center in the person of the wealthy. Celebrity is not inherent in any personality. To be celebrated, to be wealthy, to have power requires access to major institutions"
