Can our current form of government still work?

[Justin Spencer]

Without bringing partisan politics into the discussion, I am wondering what you think the future of our government looks like. It seems to me that very few policy changes are made through congress anymore, and we have only seen new laws through executive actions recently. With the president not being up for re-election he is the only person in our current system of no term limit Washington politics, that has nothing to lose if he pisses people off. With social media and 24 hour news networks it seems like congress has no spine and fears that if they are perceived to be against their base their re-election chances will go out the window. I don't see how this gridlock will change in the future unless changes are made in how our government runs, mainly through term limits and campaign contribution reform.

[rps]

If you review the entire history of US politics, you will find more than one period of highly partisan behavior and little real action. In each instance some event caused a change to the status quo. Just two examples: 1840 to 1860; 1920 to 1930.

[ollie]

Our government is doomed to fail at some point. History will repeat itself down the line. If you look throughout history you will see that most governments on average only last 200 years plus or minus some years. We have gone the distance and I am afraid it is slowly crumbling little be little. No, I am not optimistic about it either.

[ness]

'Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others that have been tried.'

[fishinwrench]

Living in a house with 4 people, someone is always gonna be somewhat disappointed with what is being cooked for dinner.

So how the hell can a whole country operate together?

[rps]

While 200 years is a frequent fail point, notable exceptions exist. England's constitutional monarchy is nearing 500 years. The Roman republic was right at 500 years old when Julius Caesar forced a switch to the empire form that lasted another 400+ years. The Ottoman empire reached the ripe age of 1000. Several of the Chinese dynasties made it well past 200.

I don't think the "age" is a reason to expect radical change. I think, instead, the key is whether whatever government form it may be can adjust to stress factors without creating an angry group (internal or external) that has the power to takeover.

[ness]

We all grew up being told we're the best there ever was, and that's probably true. But it doesn't mean we can't screw it up. It is good to keep in mind that this isn't a sure thing.

[fishinwrench]

Why America isn't the greatest country in the wor: http://youtu.be/ZPHSXUS0_1c

[strangercreek]

Very true, every single word