Final answer:
Central deployment of CRT refers to its incorporation into national policies, while local deployment involves applying CRT at state and local levels, aligning with beliefs in devolution and criticism of federal mandates.
Step-by-step explanation:
When referring to the central or local deployment of Critical Race Theory (CRT), it can be understood as how principles of CRT are applied within different levels of governance or institution operation. Central deployment would refer to CRT being integrated into policies and practices on a federal or national level, influencing broad, nation-wide initiatives.
In contrast, local deployment would see state and local governments act as "laboratories of democracy", applying CRT principles to more focused areas, such as decisions made by those in power when redrawing the boundaries of voting districts. Advocates for local deployment may endorse "devolution", supporting the returning of power, authority, and responsibility to state and local levels, away from a centralized approach. This is aligned with the criticisms that federal grant-in-aid systems may impose unnecessary and unfunded mandates on local entities.