American Government / Unit 2 Gov 085 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Local Governments Are Creatures of Their States
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The idea
Under Dillon's Rule, local governments hold only the powers their state grants them, and the state may narrow or withdraw those powers.
In practice
A city exists by state charter; a state does not exist by national charter.
Where people slip
The contrast is the point — states are constitutional partners in federalism; localities are not.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
- Nothing yet depends on this.
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