Jacobin Radio
Behind the News: The Constitution v. Democracy w/ Aziz Rana
Apr 28, 2025
Aziz Rana, a Boston College Law Professor and author of The Constitutional Bind, delves into how the U.S. Constitution may have paved the way for Donald Trump's rise and the ensuing political turmoil. He critiques the authoritarian tendencies embedded in the Constitution and explores the expansion of executive power during Trump's presidency. Rana warns of a potential constitutional crisis stemming from unilateral actions and advocates for the left to build collective power through alternative structures like unions to combat political extremism.
53:01
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Quick takeaways
- The U.S. Constitution's design prioritizes geography over individual voting power, constraining genuine democratic engagement and accountability.
- The expansion of executive power throughout the 20th century has led to an imperial presidency, undermining legislative checks and fostering authoritarianism.
Deep dives
Constitutional Constraints on Democracy
The U.S. constitutional system, while often viewed as a model of representative democracy, is critiqued for its inherent limitations in promoting genuine democratic engagement. This system prioritizes geography over individual voting power, illustrating a fundamental disconnect from modern democratic practices seen globally. The misalignment of representation results in scenarios where leaders, such as Trump, can obtain power without winning the popular vote, limiting accountability and facilitating authoritarian tendencies. Consequently, this structure has not only enabled Trump's rise but has also constrained opposition efforts to resist his influence effectively.
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