ChinaTalk: Why Congress Can Save Us All
Published by The Lawfare Institute
in Cooperation With
This episode of China Talk explores the past, present, and future of Congress with AEI's Philip Wallach. We get into:
Origins of representative government trace back to medieval England, when the king consulted regional advisors – leading to development of Parliament
Founders inspired by this model when establishing Congress, wanting representation for diverse parts of young U.S.
But competing visions emerged for how Congress should work:
Madison's view: embrace factional conflict and compromise
Wilson's view: stronger centralized leadership
These tensions played out through different eras of Congress:
Early years: backlash against Hamilton’s Treasury power leads to first political party
New Deal/WWII: Congress oversees executive branch while enabling key programs
Civil rights era: Senate leaders allow extended filibuster, focus national attention, build enduring coalition
1970s reforms decentralize Congress but decrease cooperation between members over time
Under 1994 Gingrich revolution, partisan centralization becomes norm – embraced by both parties
Potential futures discussed, including a fever dream of Philip's where an immigration crisis actually prompts real lawmaking.
Outtro music: Nixon's 1972 campaign song
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