The 17th Principle: Checks and Balances in “The 5000 Year Leap”
In “The 5000 Year Leap” by W. Cleon Skousen, the 17th principle underscores the importance of a system of checks and balances within government structures to prevent the abuse of power. This principle is rooted in the founding fathers’ vision for a government where no single branch could dominate or abuse its authority unchecked.
Historical Context and Philosophy
The principle of checks and balances was not a novel concept when the United States Constitution was drafted. It was influenced by philosophers like Montesquieu, who argued for the separation of powers in his work, “The Spirit of Laws.” Skousen explains that the founding fathers, understanding human nature’s propensity towards power accumulation, designed the government with this system to ensure liberty and prevent tyranny.
James Madison, in Federalist No. 51, articulates the essence of this principle: “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.” The idea was to create a government where each branch could check the others, thereby maintaining equilibrium and protecting citizens from potential oppression by any one branch.
Implementation in the U.S. Constitution
Skousen details how the U.S. Constitution implements checks and balances:
- Legislative Checks on the Executive: Congress can override presidential vetoes with a two-thirds vote in both houses, control the budget, and even impeach the president.
- Executive Checks on the Legislature: The President can veto legislation passed by Congress, nominate judges and officials (subject to Senate approval), and has the power to call special sessions of Congress.
- Judicial Checks on Both: The judiciary, through judicial review (established notably in Marbury v. Madison), can declare acts of Congress and the Executive unconstitutional. Conversely, Congress can establish the size of the Supreme Court and impeach judges.
- Legislative Checks on the Judiciary: Congress can propose constitutional amendments to override judicial decisions and has control over the court’s jurisdiction and funding.
Skousen emphasizes that this intricate system was designed to ensure that no branch could unilaterally expand its power at the expense of the others or the populace.
Contemporary Relevance
In contemporary discourse, Skousen’s interpretation of this principle remains relevant. The ongoing discussions about executive orders, legislative filibusters, and judicial activism highlight the dynamic nature of checks and balances. Skousen warns that without vigilance, these checks could weaken, leading to a concentration of power, which he sees as a threat to liberty.
Recent political events, including debates over presidential veto power, the use of executive orders, and the balance of power in judicial appointments, demonstrate the system’s practical application and its challenges. Skousen’s analysis suggests that the health of democracy is contingent on the effective operation of these checks.
Conclusion
The 17th principle from “The 5000 Year Leap” serves as a reminder of why the framers of the U.S. Constitution valued checks and balances. Skousen’s work not only explores the theoretical foundation of this principle but also its practical implications in maintaining a free society. The principle is a testament to the foresight of the founders in crafting a government that could self-regulate through its inherent structure, ensuring that power does not corrupt absolutely.
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