We Are Not One People: Secession and Separatism in American Politics since 1776, by Michael J. Lee and R. Jarrod Atchison

Abstract

The United States has become more polarized over the past decade, with no realistic prospects of reversing the trend. The degree of polarization and its historical significance can be debated, but the acceptance of it as fact by voters, media, and politicians animates many of the behaviors, conversations, and concerns about U.S. politics. A 2021 poll by the Center for American Politics at the University of Virginia found that nearly 50 percent of Trump voters and 40 percent of Biden voters agreed that the nation should split up. This is reinforced by a prominent member of Congress who called for a national divorce. Federalism scholars are well-positioned to provide analysis and perspective on secession and separation. We Are Not One People: Secession and Separatism in American Politics since 1776, by Michael J. Lee and R. Jarrod Atchison, is a timely contribution that can help us situate the current challenges in a broader political and social context.