Governing Magazine

The Second Amendment: Why Must Guns Define America?

The Second Amendment: Why Must Guns Define America?

The 27 words of the Second Amendment are among the most bedeviling words of the U.S. Constitution: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
How States Can Combat the Cancer of Gun Violence

How States Can Combat the Cancer of Gun Violence

It remains to be seen whether events in Uvalde, Texas will spur Congress into action, but a new report makes it clear that states can play a much bigger role in combating gun violence.
Watergate — A New History of the Abuse of White House Power

Watergate — A New History of the Abuse of White House Power

As the 50th anniversary of the Watergate break-in approaches, a recent book charts the transformation of the Nixon administration’s bungled burglary into a wake-up call to how far a criminal administration would go to hang on to power.
Myths of the U.S. Supreme Court Unraveled

Myths of the U.S. Supreme Court Unraveled

A historian explores three myths about the Supreme Course: court packing, judicial review and meeting the expectations of the appointing presidents. They are not what you thought they were.
Would Killing the Filibuster Actually Kill Democracy?

Would Killing the Filibuster Actually Kill Democracy?

Filibusters do occur in some state legislatures, but they rarely succeed in blocking legislation. Unlike the U.S. Senate, most state legislatures still operate on the Founders’ majoritarian principles.
How Do We Restore Public Trust in Elections?

How Do We Restore Public Trust in Elections?

Against all odds, election officials delivered a safe and secure election during a public health crisis. But a year later, they are looking for innovative ways to restore public trust in their work.
How Big Tech Threatens Our Culture

How Big Tech Threatens Our Culture

Facebook and its big tech ilk bombard us with vitriolic content, and their algorithms help to divide Americans. Local-government leaders need to keep this in mind when they offer up incentives to attract their operations.