States' Rights and the Constitution in the U.S.A. by Arthur S. Link
Harmsworth Professor of American History
In the University of Oxford
The schools controversy, which began five years ago today, is an example of recurrent and perhaps inevitable conflict between the sections-economically and socially very diverse-that make up the United States.
Every section has defied the rest at one time or another, but only once has defiance led to war. Professor Link believes that this time both sides will in the long run recognise that only through compromise is federal government possible.