Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

marylandblue

(12,344 posts)

1. Read "How Democracies Die" or some of the summaries online

Reply to global1 (Original post)

Wed Sep 5, 2018, 03:16 PM

Sep 2018

They have examples of systems designed based on our Constitution that quickly devolved into dictatorship. So the whole separation of powers theory can't be right. The author claim rather that democratic norms keep it alive. One of our norms is that judges are nominated and approved based on qualifications rather than politics. This has been eroded over the years until we got to the purely political process today. This is a dangerous place to be that has deep implications for the next generation of judges.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

10 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Is There Really A Separation Of Powers When The Legislative & Executive.... [View all] global1 Sep 2018 OP

Read "How Democracies Die" or some of the summaries online marylandblue Sep 2018 #1

The notion that politics doesn't play a major factor in who gets nominated to be a judge onenote Sep 2018 #6

Of course it plays a role, but the norm was to defer to the president marylandblue Sep 2018 #7

So when did things change? And why? onenote Sep 2018 #9

The only alternative would be direct election of judges qazplm135 Sep 2018 #2

Non-partisan judicial elections is another alternative... k8conant Sep 2018 #3

they would be non-partisan in name only qazplm135 Sep 2018 #10

It's Constitutional, MichMary Sep 2018 #4

Yes. onenote Sep 2018 #5

Or if Congress kisses the president's butt, no matter how putrid it is marylandblue Sep 2018 #8