The Rise of Regionalism
Sep 28, 2025
Just as the galaxy needed balance, so too does the U.S. between federal and regional power.
Two of my biggest cultural influences as a Gen X kid were being a crazed Star Wars fan and carrying around a permanent imprint of Seinfeld humor. The combination of epic struggles over balance and power mixed with the ironic observation of everyday absurdity still shapes how I see the world. It’s also a useful way to think about governance in the United States. Like the shifting balance of power in a Star Wars saga, the nation has long cycled between strong regional identities and a dominant federal center. From the early Republic’s emphasis on local autonomy, through the federal expansion of the New Deal and post–World War II eras, and now into a moment where regional leadership is once again on the rise, America’s story has always been an arc of centralization and decentralization. Today, as federal responsibilities are reduced and states and localities step forward, we may be witnessing a new era of regionalism — an era that blends Skywalker-scale shifts with a dose of Seinfeld-style irony.
My colleague Roger Cohen recently explored this theme in an initial thought leadership article on our website, highlighting how regional collaboration is increasingly shaping policy outcomes. He argued that as federal programs scale back, regions aren’t simply absorbing responsibilities; they’re becoming laboratories of innovation, crafting solutions tailored to their unique economies, geographies, and communities. His perspective underscores that regionalism is not just a fallback when Washington changes course, but a proactive force that can drive resilience and creativity at the local level.
Building on Roger’s insights, I see the current rise of regionalism as part of a much longer historical arc. What feels new today is not the idea of regions stepping into the spotlight, but the context in which it’s happening. Unlike past cycles, where regionalism often emerged from conflict or economic necessity, today’s version is fueled by both necessity and opportunity. Technology, demographic shifts, and cross-state partnerships mean that regions are not just reacting to federal retrenchment— they’re actively reimagining how governance, infrastructure, and innovation can work at a local level.
For me, this isn’t just an abstract policy discussion; it’s part of my own professional arc. I’ve spent the past 25 years serving federal and state clients, work that I deeply value and intend to continue. But I also see increasing importance in strengthening regional engagement, where innovation and collaboration are happening in real time. That’s why I joined the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania: to connect more directly with the leaders, organizations, and entrepreneurs shaping our region’s future. Regionalism isn’t just something I analyze; it’s something I want to be actively part of.
Looking ahead, the real challenge is not just acknowledging the rise of regionalism but harnessing its full potential. The regions that thrive will be able to bridge traditional divides between public and private sectors, rural and urban communities, and long-standing institutions and emerging innovators. That requires more than vision; it demands practical collaboration. Local leaders can’t afford to wait for top-down direction but must instead build new partnerships, experiment with fresh models, and share lessons across boundaries. In this way, regionalism becomes not only a response to federal transition but a proactive force, one that creates resilience, accelerates innovation, and delivers solutions that are tailored, scalable, and deeply rooted in place.
As history shows, regionalism in the United States has never been static. It rises, recedes, and rises again as the balance of power shifts between Washington and the states. What makes this moment different is the scale of opportunity: regions are not just filling gaps left by federal transition, they are innovating, collaborating, and defining new pathways for growth. At Rensel Consulting, we see these shifts not as disruptions but as arcs in a larger journey— a journey that organizations, agencies, and communities must navigate thoughtfully and together. After all, your arc is our journey, and together we can turn the rise of regionalism into a catalyst for resilience and progress. And if my own lens is shaped by Star Wars and Seinfeld, that feels fitting: part epic saga, part everyday comedy. The stakes are real, the balance is always shifting, and yet progress often comes through small, sometimes ironic acts of collaboration. By embracing both the grand challenges and the local quirks, we can help write the next chapter of governance with creativity, resilience, and maybe even a little humor.
Does anyone know where I parked my Millennium Falcon?
- Eric Rensel
The Rise of Regionalism
Sep 28, 2025
Just as the galaxy needed balance, so too does the U.S. between federal and regional power.
Two of my biggest cultural influences as a Gen X kid were being a crazed Star Wars fan and carrying around a permanent imprint of Seinfeld humor. The combination of epic struggles over balance and power mixed with the ironic observation of everyday absurdity still shapes how I see the world. It’s also a useful way to think about governance in the United States. Like the shifting balance of power in a Star Wars saga, the nation has long cycled between strong regional identities and a dominant federal center. From the early Republic’s emphasis on local autonomy, through the federal expansion of the New Deal and post–World War II eras, and now into a moment where regional leadership is once again on the rise, America’s story has always been an arc of centralization and decentralization. Today, as federal responsibilities are reduced and states and localities step forward, we may be witnessing a new era of regionalism — an era that blends Skywalker-scale shifts with a dose of Seinfeld-style irony.
My colleague Roger Cohen recently explored this theme in an initial thought leadership article on our website, highlighting how regional collaboration is increasingly shaping policy outcomes. He argued that as federal programs scale back, regions aren’t simply absorbing responsibilities; they’re becoming laboratories of innovation, crafting solutions tailored to their unique economies, geographies, and communities. His perspective underscores that regionalism is not just a fallback when Washington changes course, but a proactive force that can drive resilience and creativity at the local level.
Building on Roger’s insights, I see the current rise of regionalism as part of a much longer historical arc. What feels new today is not the idea of regions stepping into the spotlight, but the context in which it’s happening. Unlike past cycles, where regionalism often emerged from conflict or economic necessity, today’s version is fueled by both necessity and opportunity. Technology, demographic shifts, and cross-state partnerships mean that regions are not just reacting to federal retrenchment— they’re actively reimagining how governance, infrastructure, and innovation can work at a local level.
For me, this isn’t just an abstract policy discussion; it’s part of my own professional arc. I’ve spent the past 25 years serving federal and state clients, work that I deeply value and intend to continue. But I also see increasing importance in strengthening regional engagement, where innovation and collaboration are happening in real time. That’s why I joined the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania: to connect more directly with the leaders, organizations, and entrepreneurs shaping our region’s future. Regionalism isn’t just something I analyze; it’s something I want to be actively part of.
Looking ahead, the real challenge is not just acknowledging the rise of regionalism but harnessing its full potential. The regions that thrive will be able to bridge traditional divides between public and private sectors, rural and urban communities, and long-standing institutions and emerging innovators. That requires more than vision; it demands practical collaboration. Local leaders can’t afford to wait for top-down direction but must instead build new partnerships, experiment with fresh models, and share lessons across boundaries. In this way, regionalism becomes not only a response to federal transition but a proactive force, one that creates resilience, accelerates innovation, and delivers solutions that are tailored, scalable, and deeply rooted in place.
As history shows, regionalism in the United States has never been static. It rises, recedes, and rises again as the balance of power shifts between Washington and the states. What makes this moment different is the scale of opportunity: regions are not just filling gaps left by federal transition, they are innovating, collaborating, and defining new pathways for growth. At Rensel Consulting, we see these shifts not as disruptions but as arcs in a larger journey— a journey that organizations, agencies, and communities must navigate thoughtfully and together. After all, your arc is our journey, and together we can turn the rise of regionalism into a catalyst for resilience and progress. And if my own lens is shaped by Star Wars and Seinfeld, that feels fitting: part epic saga, part everyday comedy. The stakes are real, the balance is always shifting, and yet progress often comes through small, sometimes ironic acts of collaboration. By embracing both the grand challenges and the local quirks, we can help write the next chapter of governance with creativity, resilience, and maybe even a little humor.
Does anyone know where I parked my Millennium Falcon?
- Eric Rensel