Hi @TVietor08, loved the @PodSaveAmerica 4th July podcast on debunking narratives.
But I disagree that the US is exceptional because "Our constitution, our system of government, is unique in that we have this capacity to amend it and fix it over time."
crooked.com/podcast/baby-y…
But I disagree that the US is exceptional because "Our constitution, our system of government, is unique in that we have this capacity to amend it and fix it over time."
crooked.com/podcast/baby-y…
The idea that the US is a young, agile democracy and the nation states of Europe are old and inflexible is itself an American narrative that needs debunking.
Because the precise opposite is true.
Because the precise opposite is true.
The nation states of Europe are almost all younger than the US. Their constitutions are more recent. And they are constantly amending and reinventing things to adjust to modern realities - something the US is now incapable of doing.
The US constitution has been amended just once in the past 50 years - in 1989 to slightly adjust congressional salaries.
During that time France amended its constitution 21 times. Germany similar. EU has had 8 major constitutional revisions in that time.
cambridge.org/core/journals/…
During that time France amended its constitution 21 times. Germany similar. EU has had 8 major constitutional revisions in that time.
cambridge.org/core/journals/…
Has the US constitution been untouched for 50 years because it's perfect as is? That may be what we're taught as children, but we know that's not the case.
The reason is that the hurdle for changing the US constitution is so much higher than for European countries.
The reason is that the hurdle for changing the US constitution is so much higher than for European countries.
The filibuster, the electoral college, unequal representation - these are all dysfunctions no European country would tolerate.
And yet the inability to adjust America's 232-year-old governing structure to make it fit for the 21st century makes Americans shrug and accept it.
And yet the inability to adjust America's 232-year-old governing structure to make it fit for the 21st century makes Americans shrug and accept it.
Why is it so much easier for European countries to adapt government to modern realities?
Partly because it's easier to change a governing structure that's 84 (🇮🇪), 75 (🇮🇹), 63 (🇫🇷), 46 (🇬🇷), 43 (🇪🇸), 24 (🇵🇱) or 9 (🇭🇺) years old than it is to change one that's 232 (🇺🇸) years old
Partly because it's easier to change a governing structure that's 84 (🇮🇪), 75 (🇮🇹), 63 (🇫🇷), 46 (🇬🇷), 43 (🇪🇸), 24 (🇵🇱) or 9 (🇭🇺) years old than it is to change one that's 232 (🇺🇸) years old
So this idea of a 'young, flexible' America contrasting with an 'old, archaic' Europe is a fallacy, when speaking of the state itself at least.
Both Americans and Europeans are taught to believe this myth. But in reality it is the US that suffers from being old and archaic.
Both Americans and Europeans are taught to believe this myth. But in reality it is the US that suffers from being old and archaic.
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