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Griffiths Speaks with Pluribus News About American Secessionist Movements

February 28, 2023

Pluribus News

Ryan Griffiths 560px

Ryan Griffiths


There is a growing movement among rural counties in blue states that have voted for, organized around, or more informally sought a new beginning in an increasingly polarized political atmosphere. 

None of the current movements are likely to win support in existing state legislatures, which have little incentive to give up territory—and political representation in Congress—to a neighboring state.

“Those processes, they’re hard to pull off. You need to have both sides in agreement. It just doesn’t happen that much,” says Ryan Griffiths, associate professor of political science. “The thresholds for success are just too high to make it work.”

Read more in the Pluribus News article, “Analysis: Secession movements underscore a polarized America.”


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