Civics 101 What is a Constitutional crisis?
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Feb 11, 2025 Aziz Huq, a Professor of Law at the University of Chicago and author specializing in democracy and constitutional law, dives deep into the concept of constitutional crises. He discusses the delicate balance required among the three government branches and explores how political ideologies can skew judicial interpretations. Huq emphasizes the subjective nature of a constitutional crisis and the importance of civic engagement in preserving democracy. He also highlights the ongoing resistance to Supreme Court rulings and the implications for marginalized communities.
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Active Citizenship as Care
- Participate actively in your community and engage respectfully with fellow citizens.
- Focus on demonstrating care and compassion, even when political outcomes are uncertain.
Constitutional Crisis: Subjective Term
- There's no universally agreed-upon definition of a "constitutional crisis."
- The term's meaning often reflects the speaker's values and anxieties more than objective reality.
Constitutional Strain
- The Constitution aims to empower and constrain government actors.
- Constitutional strain arises when mechanisms for constraining power break down while empowerment mechanisms remain functional.
