The virtues of American localismand its 21st-century challenges

Localism can include such direct democracy formats as the ballot initiatives of 2021, which brought issues directly to local electorates. These included decisions such as "refunding the police" in Austin, Texas, and enacting rent control in St. Paul, Minnesota. Put another way, the intense interest in such local elections reflects voter understanding that a local vote can directly affect one's immediate quality of life. Localism makes such influence possible.American localism can allow for policy differentiation across a diverse country and for voters to signal preferences in ways that may presage and influence decisions elsewhere. It can also serve as a safety valve for voters who might otherwise feel overlooked. So, too, can recall elections, which force incumbents to face voters before the end of their terms.1 Localism is, to be sure, not an unalloyed positive. It can impede what may be viewed as social or economic progress—as in the cases of "not in my backyard" opposition to new housing construction or, as it did in the segregated South, laws impeding full rights for African Americans.This report highlights the extent and unusualness of such localism while emphasizing that, as more policy influence accrues to the federal government, American localism and its political virtues are at risk

Programming On a Blank Slate: A Case On Grantmaking in Rural Poverty

This case study is meant to stimulate problem solving and serve as a springboard for conversation for grantmakers on the subject of beginning a new programme area at a foundation. This short book is based on an actual experience of a programme officer at the Ford Foundation working with rural poverty. The case study is one in a series by GrantCraft on basics for grantmakers and is sponsored by the Ford Foundation

Could News Bloom in News Deserts?

Key PointsDue to the steady decline of print news in America, many Americans now live in news deserts, where there is no newspaper covering local issues. The absence of information on local news and local politics weakens our communities and our political process.Despite this trend, over 100 new papers or online local news sites have opened within the past several years. To stay in business, they have experimented with new approaches to staffing and funding.It may be time to expand the role of government or philanthropy in supporting local news, which produces countless benefits for communities but is rapidly disappearing