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What if there were no states?

Season 1 Episode 3 | 9m 00s

States: they're a fact of American life we take largely for granted. But why do we need them at all? Some experts believe that chopping up our country in a different way would make a lot more sense. So, if we started over today, would we keep the somewhat wacky geography of our states intact, or would we move to perhaps a more logical system that throws state lines out the window?

Aired: 05/20/18
Made possible with funding from The Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Extras
What would happen if we selected our leaders randomly, like we select jurors?
Should we ensure life, liberty, and shelter for all citizens?
What if Protesting Was Illegal?
How long until people are living on Mars, and how will we convince them to go there?
The Mexican border has dominated headlines, but what about our border with Canada?
Should we raise the national standard for when police can use lethal force?
If we made “America From Scratch” today, would we outlaw political parties or add more?
If we made “America From Scratch” today, would we have compulsory voting?
If we made “America From Scratch” today, would we have a national conscription?
If we started America from scratch today, would we elect our Supreme Court justices?
Latest Episodes
What would happen if we selected our leaders randomly, like we select jurors?
Should we ensure life, liberty, and shelter for all citizens?
What if Protesting Was Illegal?
How long until people are living on Mars, and how will we convince them to go there?
The Mexican border has dominated headlines, but what about our border with Canada?
Should we raise the national standard for when police can use lethal force?
If we made “America From Scratch” today, would we outlaw political parties or add more?
If we made “America From Scratch” today, would we have compulsory voting?
If we made “America From Scratch” today, would we have a national conscription?
If we started America from scratch today, would we elect our Supreme Court justices?