The Balance of Power

Introduction: Why the Balance of Power Matters

The United States government was designed with a system of checks and balances to ensure that no single branch—executive (president), legislative (Congress), or judicial (Supreme Court)—could dominate. However, when one branch overreaches, another abdicates its responsibility, or the judiciary loses independence, democracy is at risk.

America’s government was designed to prevent tyranny. The Founding Fathers, having fought against an unchecked monarchy, built a system where power is divided between three branches:

• Congress (Legislative) makes the laws.
• The President (Executive) enforces the laws.
• The Supreme Court (Judicial) interprets the laws.

This structure isn’t just a technicality—it’s the foundation of American democracy. Each branch is supposed to check the others, ensuring that no one person or group can take control.

But what happens when this balance breaks? What if a president oversteps their authority? What if Congress refuses to act? What if the courts serve politics instead of the law?

Right now, America is facing these very problems.

• Presidents are expanding their authority beyond legal limits.
• Congress is failing to act as a check on executive power.
• The courts are becoming increasingly politicized.
• Economic and global instability are accelerating the shift toward an unbalanced system.

If these trends continue, we could see the erosion of democracy itself. This essay explores how power is shifting in the U.S., what history teaches us, and what can be done to protect the system that keeps us free.

The Rise of Executive Overreach

The president was never meant to rule alone. The Constitution gives Congress the power to make laws, meaning the executive branch is supposed to carry out policy, not create it.

However, in recent decades, presidents have taken more and more control, often bypassing Congress entirely.

Take executive orders. These are meant to help enforce existing laws, but today, they are used to make sweeping policy changes without congressional approval.

Some historical examples:

1. Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer (1952)
   • President Truman attempted to seize steel mills without congressional approval during the Korean War.
   • The Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional, reinforcing presidential limits on economic control.
2. Post-9/11 War Powers Expansion (2001-Present)
   • The Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF, 2001) gave presidents unlimited authority to conduct military operations.
   • Led to endless U.S. wars in the Middle East without congressional declarations.
   • Congressional Research Service
3. The Pentagon Papers & Nixon (1971)
   • Nixon attempted to block the release of classified war documents, citing executive privilege.
   • The Supreme Court ruled against him, stating presidential secrecy cannot override public interest.
   • National Archives

Other notable cases include:

• Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865) suspended habeas corpus without Congress during the Civil War.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945) tried to pack the Supreme Court to get his policies approved.
• Richard Nixon (1969-1974) used federal agencies to spy on his political enemies.
• George W. Bush (2001-2009) expanded surveillance programs after 9/11, bypassing legal limits.
• Donald Trump (2017-2021) challenged election results and claimed nearly unlimited executive power.

And today, we’re seeing more of the same.

Modern Examples (2023-2025)

1. Biden’s Border Policy Executive Actions (2024)
   • Issued sweeping executive orders on immigration, despite previous Supreme Court rulings limiting executive control.
   • The Futures of Congress: Scenarios for the US2050 Project
2. Use of Emergency Powers for Economic Policy (2023-2025)
   • Increasing reliance on executive emergency actions to handle inflation, student loan forgiveness, and supply chain disruptions.
   • Congressional Checks to Presidential Power

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• Military Decisions Without Approval – U.S. military actions in the Pacific were carried out without congressional debate.

This trend is dangerous. If presidents continue ruling by executive order, Congress becomes irrelevant, elections lose their meaning, and the rule of law weakens. Today we are witnessing a situation where Dissent can be Criminalized and Constitutional Protections are Eroded.

Summary

The foundation of American democracy rests on the balance of power among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. This crucial system is being threatened by executive overreach, congressional inaction, and the politicization of the judiciary.

Historically, presidents have expanded their authority beyond constitutional limits, often bypassing Congress through executive orders and emergency powers. Congress, weakened by partisanship and external influences, fails to effectively check presidential power, leading to further executive dominance. The courts, designed to be independent, are increasingly politicized, with rulings influenced by ideology rather than the Constitution.

If these trends continue, the nation risks an "imperial presidency," a powerless legislature, and a partisan judiciary, eroding democratic principles. The article concludes with a call to action, urging citizens to understand their government, hold leaders accountable, and protect the balance of power to safeguard democracy.