RONALD CHARLES LINDSAY

This is a complaint that many nations make against the United States. Few foreigners really understand the United States form of government which differs from the usual Parliamentary form that exists in most of the world. Specifically, in the Parliamentary system, the Government (Executive Branch) and the Legislature are one and the same. Often it includes the judiciary. In America we have separation of powers and these branches not only are not coordinated and consistent but are often at odds with each other. As a result, Presidents and Secretaries of State can make honest commitments and promises but later find that the Congress will block American fulfillment of the promise. At the time, the most glaring example was President Wilson who was so active in advocating a League of Nations and then when it became a reality, the Senate would not ratify the treaty and America could not join, thereby dooming it to failure. There have been many other examples in history. Another dramatic one was President Obama promising to close the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay during the War on Terror, Congress would not appropriate any funds to move the prisoners anywhere else, and the President’s promise to other nations could not be fulfilled. This is a structural part of the American system. Some people see it as a weakness; others, as a strength.

This is a complaint that many nations make against the United States. Few foreigners really understand the United States form of government which differs from the usual Parliamentary form that exists in most of the world. Specifically, in the Parliamentary system, the Government (Executive Branch) and the Legislature are one and the same. Often it includes the judiciary. In America we have separation of powers and these branches not only are not coordinated and consistent but are often at odds with each other. As a result, Presidents and Secretaries of State can make honest commitments and promises but later find that the Congress will block American fulfillment of the promise. At the time, the most glaring example was President Wilson who was so active in advocating a League of Nations and then when it became a reality, the Senate would not ratify the treaty and America could not join, thereby dooming it to failure. There have been many other examples in history. Another dramatic one was President Obama promising to close the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay during the War on Terror, Congress would not appropriate any funds to move the prisoners anywhere else, and the President’s promise to other nations could not be fulfilled. This is a structural part of the American system. Some people see it as a weakness; others, as a strength.