states' rights

plural noun

1. the rights belonging to the various states, especially with reference to the strict interpretation of the Constitution, by which all rights not delegated by the Constitution to the federal government belong to the states.

states' rights

plural noun

1. the rights and powers generally conceded to the states, or all those powers claimed for the states under some interpretations of the Constitution
2. a doctrine advocating the severe curtailment of Federal powers by such an interpretation of the Constitution

states' rights

1. Rights guaranteed to the states under the principle of federalism . Under the Constitution , states have considerable autonomy to pass, enforce, and interpret their own laws and to pursue their own public policy programs. Proponents of states' rights argue that the states should be governed with a minimum of interference from the federal government.

Notes

The relationship between federal and state responsibilities has often been controversial. Until the middle of the twentieth century, for example, the Supreme Court left the interpretation of many civil rights guarantees to the states, resulting in hostile and widespread discrimination against minorities.

Derived Forms

• statesˈ righter, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of states' rights¹

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800

Example Sentences

The old saw that "states are the laboratories of democracy" has long been one of the rationales for states' rights adherents to excuse their anti-democratic behavior.

From Salon

He really seems to believe that by putting the words "states' rights" on repeat, and constantly pushing the lie that ending Roe v.

From Salon

But if anyone thinks the high court will defer to a state supreme court out of their often-stated commitment to "states' rights," I wouldn't hold my breath.

From Salon

Conservative historiography on the Civil War is focused on causes: The war was about states' rights or sectional rivalry or tariffs or westward expansion — but never about what it was actually about, which was slavery.

From Salon

Individual rights would have to make room for states' rights; optimism for pessimism; a republic of consumers for an apartheid state; capitalism for feudalism.

From Salon