The other reason is that, at the national level, my Canadian or Guatemalan or South African-born neighbors in Takoma Park, Maryland will, at least theoretically, have different interests than I do. (Think acid rain or trade policy.) At the local level, their place of birth or passport makes little or no difference. In Takoma Park, all of us—regardless of whether we are from Maryland, California, England, or Thailand—share common interests in efficient public services, beautiful parks, great schools, a reduction of crime and so on. This is the same reason that, in the European Union today, citizens of member states can move to other countries in the Union and pick up their local voting rights in the new country. There are lots of Brits voting in Parisian local elections and lots of French voting in London municipal elections. |