The U.S. Constitution in Five Minutes - Joseph L. Smith
58. Does the Constitution Cause Gridlock?
The U.S. Constitution in Five Minutes - Joseph L. Smith
Richard L. Pacelle, Jr. [+]
University of Tennessee
Richard L. Pacelle, Jr. is a professor of political science at the University of Tennessee. His research focuses on public law, mostly notably the Supreme Court and political litigation.
Description
The American political system is marked by gridlock, and many argue the Constitution is to blame. The framers wanted to decentralize government to avoid a concentration of power. The goal was to create a government that was strong, but not too strong, and effective, but not too effective. The framers creating devices for limited government and decentralization: separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism.