Though some complain about a split government, there’s a benefit to the slowdown effect it has on governmental policies and power. The U.S. Constitution’s design is a carefully constructed network of checks, balances and due process. It has been central to America’s long-term political success and stability.
By dividing power among multiple branches and creating robust mechanisms for accountability, the Constitution laid the groundwork for a government that is theoretically effective, self-limiting and resistant to abuse.
Most people have heard the saying that “power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” In a split government—a form of checks and balances where no one party controls all branches—healthy debate and compromise prevail, limiting political absurdity.
There should be great satisfaction when little gets done during a legislative session. There are too many laws already, sometimes with inconsistent and arbitrary enforcement. Unitary power makes it too easy to get things done in haste—sometimes with disastrous results.
The health of a democracy depends on the constant interplay of oversight, accountability and the rule of law. Unchecked power of a single branch, party or individual, even if well-intentioned, cannot match the institutional and systemic wisdom that this interplay of branches produces. There’s a reason to be skeptical when one entity is the police, judge, jury, executioner and accuser.
America is not perfect. But this system has weathered countless crises, from internal scandals like Watergate to the broader challenges posed by shifting political, social and demographic landscapes. In today’s era of rapid change, political polarization and technological leverage, the Constitution’s time-tested mechanisms serve as a damper on radical political and social dislocation.
Split-government checks and balances cannot be overstated in their importance. Lessons remain clear. Dangers of absolute power are not relics of history but a constant threat to liberty. Unitary government can lead to excesses that may take decades to undo. Sometimes, damages to specific individuals can never be undone. Historical examples from the fall of the Roman Empire to the tragedies of Nazi Germany remind us that unchecked authority can lead to ruin.
The enduring success and stability of the United States are built on these principles of checks, balances and due process of law. Citizens must remain vigilant and informed, and we must demand that our government at all levels adhere to checks and balances that protect our freedoms and the freedoms of others. Consistent practice of the Golden Rule would take us far.
A key part of the solution is to greatly improve the level of civics, citizenship and constitutional education in our schools, public spaces, and our homes. In this way, we help ensure that the United States continues on a path toward a more just, resilient, humane, inspired, forward-thinking and enduring society.
This MFP Voices opinion essay reflects the personal opinion of its author(s). The column does not necessarily represent the views of the Mississippi Free Press, its staff or board members. To submit an opinion for the MFP Voices section, send up to 1,200 words and sources fact-checking the included information to voices@mississippifreepress.org. We welcome a wide variety of viewpoints.
