There is a long tradition in America of denying many citizens constitutional rights because of race, ethnicity, class, religion, etc. These citizens are relegated to second class status and continually struggle for inclusion in the system. Starting with Irish immigrants, then Eastern European immigrants, then Jews, then another ethnic group; the cycle continues endlessly for a new group migrating to America. Black Americans even before the birth of the United States and thereafter are denied meaningful inclusion. A number of today's laws contribute to Tilly's lower ranking in the system. Voter ID laws targeting poor urban areas and the Black Lives Matter movement are two small examples of these failures. Although the United States is not considered a high-capacity democracy, it still fits Tilly's model. Dahl's six elements are present in America even if they do not function fully efficiently. The foundation has been put in place for the United States to advance both in terms of state capacity and functioning