Why Local Politics Matters: Beyond an Academic Exercise
By Jess Regan and Lindsay Marcellus
When people think of American politics, their thoughts often go to the nation's capital, where the Executive Branch, Congress, and the Supreme Court make the pivotal decisions that dominate national headlines. This national focus often extends to civics education, which centers around federal structures and constitutional principles. However, a comprehensive understanding of civics requires looking beyond Washington, DC, towards the widespread efforts to strengthen democracy at the subnational level. In fact, most governing—from elections to policy implementation—happens at the subnational level. From providing clean water and safe roadways to education and public safety, local governments directly shape the laws and services affecting the daily lives of Americans.
“Whether you're concerned about housing, education, policing, abortion, or voting rights, subnational governments are at the epicenter of the most important and contentious issues in our country today,” states assistant teaching professor Connor Halloran Phillips. Local governments not only provide the majority of everyday services directly impacting people's quality of life, but they're also key drivers of local employment and economic development. , state and local governments are massive economic drivers, spending $4 trillion (almost 15 percent of the national GDP) on everyday public goods and services in 2023, the latest year for which data are available. In 2024, they were responsible for more than 20 million jobs, nearly seven times the federal workforce.
Furthermore, subnational efforts are achieving positive outcomes on issues that remain stalled or gridlocked at the national level, .
What Is Subnational Governance?
In the American context, the term refers to a network of decentralized political entities and governing bodies at the state and the local or municipal levels that fall below the federal government. This includes critical elements of everyday life, such as education, local infrastructure, land-use regulation and zoning, and public health and safety.
With all this direct impact, why does it seem that individuals are ? Perhaps the issue is due, in part, to a widespread lack of awareness regarding the crucial role it plays.
Teaching Local Politics
Phillips, who studied political science at Duke University and Harvard University prior to joining the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy and Technology (CMIST), is teaching a new course this spring addressing this subject. The course, entitled “Who Really Runs America?: Subnational Governance and Policymaking,” explores subnational governments, with a focus on the critical question of how effective they are at representing the interest and preferences of their constituents.
The course covers three key areas: the origins and effects of the various institutions comprising state and local governments, the economic constraints and financial administration of these entities, and the forces determining participation in them. During a semester-long project, students have the opportunity to put what they learn into practice by identifying a problem in either the Pittsburgh area or their own community, investigating current obstacles to resolution, and proposing their political strategy to address it. This hands-on approach allows students to apply critical-thinking and problem-solving skills to real-world scenarios, mirroring the challenges addressed at the local level. “This project and course equip students to take action in the arenas where their involvement can potentially make a real difference,” says Phillips. He also teaches a course geared towards the federal government in the spring, entitled “The 21st-Century Presidency: Expanding Powers, New Challenges.”
Amid concerns about growing polarization, the “American Political Divides and Great Debates” course tackles the impact of political polarization in the United States on democracy. Taught in the fall by CMIST assistant teaching professor Jonathan Cervas, the course helps students develop a strong understanding of ideological differences and essential skills for civic engagement and discourse.
Cervas, who specializes in redistricting, voting rights, and American political institutions, also chaired this year’s 麻豆村 Democracy Day committee. This effort encourages faculty, students, and staff to participate in campus-wide events dedicated to fostering civic participation. In addition to encouraging and supporting voting, Democracy Day aims to foster a broader understanding of civic engagement through a series of pre-election events that encourage the sharing of ideas and perspectives. Cervas notes, “We elect one president, once every four years. Dozens of local officials are elected between those periods, and the impact of those officials on our everyday life is often more impactful. For instance, the president does not determine the speed limit in your neighborhood, or what school your child will attend. This happens in the local government. At 麻豆村, we hope to foster civic participation in our community and give students the tools to make meaningful change in their lives through our governmental institutions.”
From Theory to Practice
CMIST's commitment to experiential learning also empowers students to move beyond hands-on course projects and campus initiatives to apply their knowledge in a professional setting through opportunities like the 麻豆村 Washington Semester Program and internships.
This past summer, CMIST student Eli Half, who is majoring in international relations and political science as well as statistics and data science, interned for City Controller Rachael Heisler at the Office of the Pittsburgh City Controller. This opportunity was made possible by the J. Steele Gow Political Internship Fund, which is awarded to political science undergraduates to support Western Pennsylvania local and federal government internships. The general responsibilities of the City Controller’s Office include fiscal oversight, accountability, and auditing of the city’s financial operations. Half engaged in a variety of tasks, including writing reports, managing social media, attending task force meetings, and advocating for financial literacy.
Working in the City Controller’s Office provided Half with a better insight as to why active attention to local government is essential. By observing meetings, he got an inside view into the city’s operations. “Understanding that the trash pickups and snow plows are all a responsibility of those who work in the City-County Building is an important aspect of how politics functions, and necessary to appreciate the reason things happen in politics the way they do,” stated Half. Through his participation in the internship, Half was able to witness the role of city government and the city controller, obtain firsthand administrative and advocacy experience, gain exposure to financial and policy discussions, and better understand the broader community infrastructure.
A Call to Action
While DC's drama likely will remain the headliner, an abundance of democracy happens much closer to home. From the Housing Authority to the Office of the Governor, subnational governments are where policy meets pavement. To influence the broader political picture, action cannot be limited to the national level. It demands increased participation within local communities—attending city council meetings, engaging with school boards, voting in local elections, and holding officials accountable.
Because congressional gridlock can prevent legislation, the public is often left feeling frustrated and hopeless. “With citizens feeling increasingly disempowered and unable to effect meaningful change, it’s particularly important to spotlight the fact that subnational governments are making countless decisions that affect people’s daily lives, and these venues present an ideal opportunity for members of the public to make their voices heard,” Phillips says.
This is not just an academic exercise or civics lesson. Understanding and participating in subnational governance is essential to a functioning democracy. The quality of our schools, the safety of our streets, the affordability of our housing, and the health of our communities all depend on citizens who recognize that the power of political engagement often begins right in their own backyard. As Cervas observes, “By reinvigorating civic participation at the local level, we can encourage young people to make small changes in their communities, foster a sense of civic responsibility, and give them the necessary skills to seek office themselves.”
(Image 1: Prof. Connor Halloran Phillips, who teaches spring courses on subnational governance and the 21st century presidency; Image 2: Prof. Jonathan Cervas, who regularly teaches courses on American political divides and representation and voting rights; Image 3: interns and employees at the Office of the Pittsburgh City Controller including CMIST student Eli Half, second-from-left, and City Controller Rachael Heisler, middle)