Democracy deserved? An analysis of statehood for Washington, D.C.
Date
2017-04
DOI
Authors
Beal, Catherine
Version
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
Washington, D.C. was established to provide a sovereign space for the federal government to
operate without the threat of state power or state militias influencing the government. An
unintended consequence of the creation of the Capital is that the residents of D.C. do not have
representation in the federal government nor do they have autonomy, despite paying federal
taxes. This thesis explores the history of the democratic rights D.C. residents have and have not
had as well as explores the past attempts to achieve statehood. Finally, this thesis answers
constitutional questions of what D.C. statehood should look like and provides suggestions on
how to structure a successful statehood movement.