The County Supremacy and Militia Movements: Federalism as an Issue on the Radical Right

Abstract

This article reviews two of the most visible forms of the populist right resurgence in American politics, the county rule and militia movements. Both of these efforts have phrased their claims in the terms of federalism, constitutionalism, and sovereign legitimacy—terms that have not often been so prominently identified with such radical organizing. The essay reviews the origins of both county rule and militia movements, as well as their activities during 1995. The article reviews the arguments of each movement relating to American federalism. The county rule movement denies federal ownership of lands, among other activities. The militias challenge the governmental monopoly on the use of force, drawing upon a tradition of “militia ” conscription in early American history. Neither argument has fared well in several lawsuits, but the political appeal has been significant.