Principle 20 of 25
Strong Local Self-Government Is the Foundation of Freedom
“The government closest to the people serves the people best.
The Principle
"The way to have good and safe government is not to trust it all to one, but to divide it among the many." — Thomas Jefferson. The government closest to the people serves the people best.
Why It Matters
The Founders believed that governance works best when it is closest to the people it serves. Local government — city councils, school boards, county commissions — is where citizens can see their government in action, attend meetings, and hold officials accountable face to face.
Federalism divides power between national and state governments, but the principle goes deeper. The most responsive government is the one where the governed can walk into a meeting and speak directly to their representatives. That is not possible at the federal level. It is possible at the local level — and it is where the Founders expected most governance to occur.
The Question
When was the last time you attended a local government meeting — school board, city council, or county commission?
Discussion Questions
For families, classrooms, and book clubs
- 1
Why did the Founders believe local government is most important?
- 2
What decisions should be made locally rather than nationally?
- 3
How can citizens participate in local government?