In most democracies, courts interpret the constitutions. While the US Supreme Court fills the role of constitutional court and final appellate court at the same time, some countries have separate constitutional courts. […]
A flexible constitution makes it easier for the majority to get its way. The flexibility can hinder the ability for a constitution to protect minority rights, which a rigid constitution can do. […]
Canadian federalism shows the power of the individual federated units and how they preserve their autonomy. […]
For the early United States, the primary benefit of forming a federation was security, along with economic efficiency. […]
The United States became a true federation after the adoption of the Constitution of the United States in 1789. It became much more centralized, but still left a lot up to the individual states. […]
Federalism attempts to maintain balance between state and federal control. This balance of power is ever-changing and depends on the compromise that every country makes for itself. […]
Multiparty systems usually have a high level of engagement. The interest groups they represent are varied and can even be factionalized. Just like the Nazis, who thrived in a highly factionalized multiparty democracy. […]
Multiparty systems exist in countries where people vote for political parties rather than individual candidates. Two-party systems emerge in countries which have a single, strong leadership, often a president. […]
Partisanship can often seem to be a flaw in a political system. However, its presence ensures a coherence in ideology, political views and representation of varied interests. […]
Political parties in dysfunctional states often rule by the gun. They often have the backing of security forces. That is why they end up building infrastructure at times when the system seems to be headed toward complete collapse. In this sense, they often step in and perform almost like the government normally would. […]
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