On the record
The authors of the Constitution doubtless intended that Congress should be able to control the American executive as our Parliament controls ours.
Said by
Walter Bagehot
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gutenberg.orgWalter Bagehot: “The authors of the Constitution doubtless intended that Congress should be able to control the American executive as our…”
Editor's note · Context
This quote reflects Bagehot's view on the intended balance of power between Congress and the President in the American system.
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More from Walter Bagehot
It is natural that those who by special and admirable culture have come to look at all things upon the artistic side, should start back from these queer peculiarities.
The casual line was traced according to the strength of deceased combatants; succeeding generations fought elsewhere; and the hesitating line of a half-drawn battle was left to stand for a perpetual limit.
Just so the lines of our Constitution were framed in old eras of sparse population, few wants, and simple habits; and we adhere in seeming to their shape, though civilisation has come with its dangers, complications, and enjoyments.
I own that I do not entirely sympathise with the horror of these anomalies which haunts some of our best critics.
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