WHAT IS UTAHISM?

The ideology of Utahism has a simple goal: Redraw the borders of the US states to make the states more representative.

WHY REDRAW BORDERS?

There are 50 states in the United States, each with their own constitutions, governors, courts, etc. Yet, many current state borders are arbitrary, some even being simple geometric shapes like squares or rectangles, which don't necessarily align with the cultural, economic, and social realities of the populations they encompass.

Many of the current state boundaries were established during the 18th and 19th centuries as little more than lines drawn on a map to subdivide a large landmass without consideration for culture, resources, or geography. Since then, America has grown as a country, various regions have developed unique identities, and we deserve state boundaries which more accurately reflect this—State lines that reflect our lives.

States have varying economic bases, from agriculture and natural resources to technology and finance. Under Utahism, states could be redrawn to better align with social and economic realities, ensuring that state policies are tailored to the needs of their primary industries, thus allowing for more efficient and effective economic policies that support local economies more directly.

A sense of lacking representation is at the forefront of political polarization today. Not only do people feel that the federal government is failing them, they feel that their local state government does not represent them. The result of this is countless Americans who feel as though they have no home, no place which understands and cares about their needs. Utahism aims to end this by ensuring every American has a state they can truly feel at peace and at home in.

WHY “UTAH”-ISM?

The name of “Utah”-ism derives from the state of Utah, which we consider to be a model example of what a state should be.

Back in the 1800s, Utah was founded by members of the LDS church with the purpose of creating a state for themselves. As a result, Utah has always reflected the interests of its local population, and today ranks at or near the top for quality of life, sense of community, and satisfaction with local politics.

Further, despite being one of the most staunchly Republican states in the country—and the dominant LDS church being something of an outlier in American life—the Utahns are some of the least politically radical Americans in the country, in great part because they don’t feel that their way of life is threatened, but rather is secured with a state to call their own.

Every people in America deserve a Utah of their own.

WHAT DOES THE OCTOPUS SYMBOLIZE?

The octopus, often recognized for its extraordinary intelligence, has a unique nervous system that makes it a fitting symbol for Utahism. Unlike most animals, only one-third of the octopus's neurons are centralized in its brain; the remaining two-thirds are dispersed throughout its eight tentacles. This decentralized nervous system allows each tentacle to process information and react to stimuli independently, yet they remain connected to and reliant on the central brain for survival. If severed from the main body, a tentacle cannot continue to function for long.

This arrangement parallels the principles of Utahism, where individual states or regions, like the octopus's tentacles, are empowered to respond to local circumstances autonomously. They can adapt to the specific needs and conditions of their populations, making governance more localized and responsive. However, just like the tentacles of the octopus rely on the central brain, these decentralized regions are still connected to a central governing body that ensures overall unity and survival. The strength of this model lies in its balance between independence and interdependence, where localized governance does not threaten the integrity of the central system but rather enhances the system’s adaptability and responsiveness.

REEXAMINING AMERICAN IDENTITY

I would like to pose a simple question to any citizen of the United States: “What is an American?”

It seems like it should be a simple question, but ask a dozen different Americans and you will receive a dozen different answers. Plainly, we have a very broad idea of who or what is or can be an American, and this is because unlike a country like France or Germany—both nation-states built upon more homogenous cultures and linguistic traditions—the United States is more accurately described as an empire in the classical sense. An empire that absorbs and encompasses numerous subcultures, regions, and identities under one overarching identity, much like Rome did at the height of its power.

Whether you were from Gaul or Moesia or Anatolia or Hispaniola, and whatever your background or lifestyle, you were a Roman if you lived within the borders of the empire, spoke Latin, observed Roman laws, believed in Roman customs, and participated in the functions of the state. The United States is no different.

Citizens from New York, Georgia, California, Utah, and West Virginia all consider themselves American, but their regional identities—intentionally or not—supersede their national identity, it is more tangible and immediate than the abstract idea of being “American”. Local history, culture, and way of life speaks to Americans on a much deeper and more intimate level than broad “American” culture ever could.

These identities aren’t just incidental—they are essential to understanding American politics, culture, and social dynamics. People from these regions will relate more closely to the immediate and personal experiences of their area than to the broader, more abstract notion of "America." For instance, the economic and social struggles of coal mining towns in West Virginia often seem worlds apart from the tech-driven economy of Silicon Valley. And yet, these disparate experiences all contribute to what it means to be an American.

This is not to say that we should cease to be Americans, on the contrary, our unity is an unfathomably great source of strength, but rather, when it comes to politics, culture, history, what speaks most to a man from West Virginia isn’t the broad history of America, but the history of the Appalachians, and such is the case for all the American nations and their respective cultures.

Federalism, the guiding principle that the states retain sovereignty in many areas, is designed to accommodate these differences, but federalism fails when the units which constitute the federal entity don’t reflect reality.

We cannot expect a one-size-fits-all approach to work for a polity as vast and diverse as America. The promise of America is not that it erases local differences, but that it allows those differences to coexist, strengthen, and contribute to the collective whole.

Economic Dependency Map.

Agriculture Map.

Dialect Map.

Climate Map.

Religious Map.

PROPOSITIONS OF UTAHISM

The core goal of Utahism is to simply redraw the states, and from this will naturally flow all the natural improvements that come from a more cohesive and representative federation. That being said, we would like to make some suggestions, propositions, and lay-out general guidelines for Utahism to be implemented optimally:

  • Population Distribution: An ideal Utahist model would see every state require a minimum of one million citizens to qualify for statehood, and all the representation that would come from this. This number should of course be adjusted nationally as population changes, however, every state must be held to the single standard rather than see the states allocated varying numbers of representatives for varying numbers of citizens; one representative per million citizens (scalable as population changes).

  • State Devolution: In the event a state falls below the one million population threshold (or whatever threshold exists at the time based on the total federal population) that state is liable to be devolved to a territory akin to Puerto Rico, retaining local representation but seeing diminished federal representation until the local population can rebolster their numbers.

  • State Genesis: Inversely to devolution, should a population within a state which identifies itself as distinct, with unique interests of its own, surpass the population threshold, that population can petition the federal government for independent statehood from the current state it belongs to. An independent commission or body would be responsible for evaluating the distinctiveness of the population and its interests to prevent a large population from creating mere off-shoot states for itself to inflate its federal representation. If found to be sufficiently distinct, statehood will be granted to the population. For states based around major Metropolitan areas, multiply the population threshold by 5.

  • Integration of State Adjustments With Decennial Census: Consideration should be given for the coinciding of regular border adjustments with the census, allowing for expansion or shrinkage of a population to be accounted for. Short-term migration patterns and lifestyle developments thus would not result in dramatic redrawings year by year.

    • The census would also serve as an opportune time to consider annexation proposals for parts of one state to join another if significant population overlap is recognized. The infrequency of the census would help to discourage opportunists who may simply move to the borders of a neighboring state and petition for annexation to add territory to their own, as well as discourage reactionary activists protesting a short-term dispute.

  • Statehood Qualifications: When considering how the states should be redrawn it’s recommended that certain key factors are taken into account, though of course, not all need be necessary:

    • Religious Demographics

    • Ancestral Background

    • Economic Conditions

    • Environment / Geography

    • Cultural History

    • Natural Resources

IS UTAHISM REALISTIC?

Implementing Utahism’s goal of redrawing state borders to better reflect cultural, social, and economic divisions is a bold proposition that faces significant political challenges.


1. The U.S. Constitution has strict provisions regarding the creation of new states or the alteration of existing state borders. Article IV, Section 3, stipulates that no new state can be created within the jurisdiction of an existing state, nor can states be combined or divided, without the consent of the state legislatures and Congress. Realistic Solution:

  • State Legislative Consent: To overcome this hurdle, proponents of redrawing borders would need to gain the approval of the affected state legislatures. This could be achieved by lobbying state governments, focusing on areas where the existing borders are seen as problematic or inefficient, such as regions where economic or cultural divisions already cause friction.

  • Amendments to the Constitution: While extremely difficult, a constitutional amendment could allow for a more flexible process of adjusting state borders. This would require a supermajority in Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states—a significant political undertaking, but not impossible if backed by widespread popular support.

2. States have entrenched political interests that may resist any effort to redraw boundaries. Political parties, interest groups, and regional powers often benefit from the current configuration, and they may fear losing influence or control if borders are adjusted. Realistic Solution:

  • Localized Referenda: Holding local referenda to gauge public support for boundary changes could demonstrate to politicians that there is popular backing for realignment. If the public in a particular region overwhelmingly supports a change, it could build pressure on the state government to act.

  • Incentivizing Change: States or regions that are less economically prosperous may be open to realignment if they see it as an opportunity to improve their fiscal standing. By framing border realignments as a chance to enhance governance, reduce inefficiencies, and strengthen regional economies, proponents could sway hesitant lawmakers and constituents.

3. Many states will argue that shifting boundaries infringes on their rights, especially if it impacts their political representation or financial resources (such as federal funding based on population). Realistic Solution:

  • Economic and Political Guarantees: Assure affected states that their political representation, financial allocations, and tax revenues will be maintained or improved post-realignment. If border changes are framed as a way to enhance economic performance or streamline governance, it could mitigate fears of loss.

  • Pilot Programs: A realistic approach might be to launch pilot programs in select regions where redrawing boundaries is less controversial. Success in these areas could build momentum and demonstrate the benefits of the concept, making it easier to expand later.

4. Critics of Utahism might argue that redrawing borders could be used as a form of partisan gerrymandering, where new borders are designed to favor one political party over another. This could lead to widespread opposition from politicians and the public, fearing that boundary changes could unfairly shift the balance of power. Realistic Solution:

  • Independent Commissions: To avoid accusations of gerrymandering, redrawing of borders could be overseen by independent commissions made up of non-partisan experts, demographers, and legal scholars. These commissions would ensure that the redrawing process is fair and transparent, with the goal of better reflecting cultural, social, and economic lines rather than partisan interests.

  • Judicial Review: Court oversight could play a role in ensuring that any proposed border changes comply with federal and state laws. Legal challenges could be resolved by the judiciary, ensuring that the process remains impartial.

5. Changing state borders could lead to economic disruptions, especially for businesses and industries tied to specific regulations or tax codes. Affected regions may need to renegotiate contracts, comply with new state laws, or deal with interstate disputes over natural resources. Realistic Solution:

  • Interstate Compacts: States could enter into interstate compacts, legally binding agreements to manage shared resources, tax revenues, and regulatory frameworks. These compacts could ensure a smooth transition and minimize economic disruptions.

  • Harmonization of Laws: Efforts could be made to harmonize state laws in areas affected by border changes, ensuring that businesses and individuals don’t face sudden legal changes. Proponents of Utahism could work with state governments to gradually align regulatory systems before the borders are officially redrawn.

Redrawing state borders is an ambitious goal that would require overcoming a range of political, legal, and cultural obstacles. However, with the right combination of public support, legal safeguards, and pragmatic solutions—such as independent commissions, interstate compacts, and pilot programs, it is possible to move toward a future where state borders more accurately reflect the diverse cultural, economic, and social realities of the U.S. It is a vision of federalism that seeks to balance local autonomy with national unity, and provides every American a state they can truly feel represented by.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Utahism is not just an idea—it’s a vision for a better, more responsive America. To make this vision a reality, we need engaged citizens like you to take action. Here are some concrete steps you can take today to contribute to the future of state representation in the U.S.

1. Join the Conversation

Start by raising awareness about the issues Utahism seeks to address. Share our resources with your networks, and engage with like-minded citizens who want to see change. The more people understand the need for redrawing borders, the stronger our movement becomes.

2. Educate Yourself & Others

The more you understand the structural challenges of current state borders and how Utahism proposes to fix them, the more effective you’ll be in communicating these ideas to others.

  • Host Discussions: Organize discussions or forums within your local community to explore what Utahism could mean for your state.

  • Write & Speak: Write articles, blog posts, or even record podcasts on how Utahism could impact different regions. Raise awareness about how state readjustment can lead to more effective governance.

3. Petition Your Representatives

Policy change starts at the local and state level. Write to your representatives and urge them to consider reforms that reflect the principles of Utahism. Let them know that you support redrawing state borders to better align with modern demographics, economics, and regional cultures.

  • Template Letters: We’ve provided templates to make writing to your representatives as simple as possible. Customize them to express your unique voice and send them to your state officials today.

4. Join the Utahism Community

Change doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t happen alone. By joining our community of advocates, you’ll stay connected with a network of citizens who are passionate about making the United States a more representative and functional democracy.

  • Newsletter: Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about upcoming events, legislative developments, and ways to get involved.

  • Local Chapters: Find or start a local Utahism chapter in your area. Host meetings to discuss policies, share ideas, and take coordinated action to advance the movement.

  • Publications: We are regularly posting material to read and study not only on our social media pages, but here on our publications page.