Hendrickson Report: Calvin Coolidge and the Principle of Federalism

With states dependent on the federal government, administrative and welfare state costs at an all-time high, and $36 trillion in national debt, the nation’s economic security is on thin ice.

The historical documentary by Ken Burns, The Roosevelts: An Intimate History, sparked further discussion about the historical legacies of Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt. The Roosevelts is another powerful achievement by Burns, who narrates the story of one of America’s most influential families, exploring both the public and private lives of Theodore Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Both President Theodore Roosevelt and President Franklin D. Roosevelt had a profound impact on American government, with their progressive administrations laying the foundation for the modern administrative and welfare states. The government we know today is a direct result of the progressivism championed by both Roosevelts.

Although Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt were from different political parties—Theodore a Republican and Franklin a Democrat—both shared a progressive philosophy that viewed constitutionally limited government as obsolete. This perspective sharply contrasted with that of Theodore’s fellow Republican, Calvin Coolidge, whose political philosophy was rooted in the principles of the American Founding and the belief in constitutionally limited government.

In the aftermath of the Great War (World War I), the nation’s politics shifted in a more conservative direction. The Republicans won the White House in the 1920 presidential election with the victory of Warren G. Harding and his running mate, Calvin Coolidge. Both Harding and Coolidge embraced a more conservative view of presidential power, aligning with the philosophy of President William Howard Taft rather than that of Theodore Roosevelt or Woodrow Wilson. Harding and Coolidge believed that a strong federal government was not the best course for the nation, particularly during economic downturns such as the depression of 1920–1921, which followed the Great War.

President Harding, campaigning on a promise of a return to “normalcy,” pursued a conservative agenda focused on reducing government spending, lowering tax rates, and paying off the national debt. After Harding’s untimely death, President Coolidge continued the “normalcy” program, further cutting spending and taxes while reducing the national debt. Coolidge was a staunch believer in limiting the federal government’s role, favoring traditional federalism. As Coolidge stated:

“While we ought to glory in the Union and remember that it is the source from which the States derive their chief title to fame, we must also recognize that the national administration is not and cannot be adjusted to the needs of local government. It is too far away to be informed of local needs, too inaccessible to be responsive to local conditions. The States should not be induced by coercion or by favor to surrender management of their own affairs. The Federal Government ought to resist the tendency to be loaded up with duties which the States should perform. It does not follow that because something ought to be done the National Government ought to do it.”

Historian Paul Moreno observed that “as President, [Coolidge] often noted that demands for unconstitutional federal laws arose from the states’ failure to act—presumably on such matters as child labor and education.”

Coolidge also warned about the dangers of government growth, arguing, “No plan of centralization has ever been adopted which did not result in bureaucracy, tyranny, inflexibility, reaction, and decline. Unless bureaucracy is constantly resisted, it breaks down representative government and overwhelms democracy.”

Coolidge succeeded in reducing tax rates, cutting government spending, and paying down the national debt, which contributed to a significant period of economic growth and full employment. However, a full rollback of the progressive state was not achieved.

As historian Peter Zavodnyik noted, “The pace of centralization slowed during the 1920s, but federal involvement in agriculture, labor relations, and education continued to expand. Grant-in-aid programs flourished.” Despite Harding’s and Coolidge’s efforts, the administrative state established by Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson persisted.

Coolidge’s commitment to federalism and traditional constitutional government mirrored that of President Ronald Reagan, who later challenged the New Deal and Great Society frameworks. Reagan advocated for a return to traditional federalism, transferring more authority back to the states. To symbolize his administration’s philosophy, Reagan hung Coolidge’s portrait in the Cabinet Room.

Both Coolidge and Reagan championed the principles of the American Founding, emphasizing their enduring importance. Coolidge remarked:

“We may wonder at their need of constant restatement, reiteration, and defense. But the fact is that the principles of government have the same need to be fortified, reinforced, and supported that characterize the principles of religion… If we are to maintain the ideals of government, it is likewise necessary that we ‘think on these things.’”

Like Reagan, Coolidge often stood as a solitary voice advocating for a return to constitutional limited government and federalism. He fought to restore foundational principles, though his efforts were not fully realized.

Today, Coolidge’s warnings about federalism have proven prescient. The federal government has greatly expanded its regulatory reach, with states functioning as administrative districts increasingly dependent on federal funding. The cost of the administrative and welfare state has reached unprecedented levels, and the national debt, now an astonishing $36 trillion, threatens the nation’s economic security. While Presidents Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt are often celebrated for their progressive legacies, the challenges we face today suggest we might benefit more from a leader like Coolidge to restore the Republic.

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