This paper examines the tension between states' rights and rights of the individual in the jurisprudence of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Through analysis of O'Connor's personal biography and a series of opinions written over her tenure on the Supreme Court, I find that O'Connor reached an incremental balance between the sometimes conflicting goals of protecting the rights of the states and individuals, resulting in a unique rights-based approach to federalism. / Constitutionalism, federalism, and expressive democracy -- Justic O'Connor and federalism -- The state and the individual -- Analysis. / Department of Political Science