I like this one the best of your posts so far, chiefly because it was anchored with an example, and simultaneously illustrated the important variable (succession of power) and how it is absent from the usual analysis.
The frame it presents is also an extremely satisfying explanation of American success. In this view the Constitution is primarily a blunt instrument for preventing problems which afflicted European powers up to that time: a Presidency to stop wars of succession; a separation of Church and State to prevent wars of religion; a democracy to provide an outlet for the public other than rebellion. And indeed the US has had much less of these problems than any comparable power, allowing maximum capitalization on the available land and natural resources.
I like this one the best of your posts so far, chiefly because it was anchored with an example, and simultaneously illustrated the important variable (succession of power) and how it is absent from the usual analysis.
The frame it presents is also an extremely satisfying explanation of American success. In this view the Constitution is primarily a blunt instrument for preventing problems which afflicted European powers up to that time: a Presidency to stop wars of succession; a separation of Church and State to prevent wars of religion; a democracy to provide an outlet for the public other than rebellion. And indeed the US has had much less of these problems than any comparable power, allowing maximum capitalization on the available land and natural resources.