There are basically two types of ways that a democracy can try to keep power in the hands of the people: a parliamentary system, and a divided powers system.
Both have advantages and disadvantages — but the modern GOP lays bare critical flaws in the latter.
Both have advantages and disadvantages — but the modern GOP lays bare critical flaws in the latter.
Here's the basic difference:
In a parliamentary system, the executive has power to make laws, but can be fired at any time.
In a divided powers system, the executive can't be fired except at fixed elections, but must follow the laws of an independent legislature and judiciary.
In a parliamentary system, the executive has power to make laws, but can be fired at any time.
In a divided powers system, the executive can't be fired except at fixed elections, but must follow the laws of an independent legislature and judiciary.
The problem with that second system is that it only works if the officials who hold the divided powers are independent.
If political parties start capturing multiple branches and coordinating their actions across them, everything breaks down.
If political parties start capturing multiple branches and coordinating their actions across them, everything breaks down.
In a parliamentary system, the GOP could certainly dismantle rights and institutions more effectively. But the check on their power would be, they can be fired in a snap election or a vote of no confidence the instant they fuck up badly enough.
Trump would have been out in 2018.
Trump would have been out in 2018.
