(Fourth in a miniseries explaining authoritarianism, from COURIER Newsroom’s Ryan Pitkin.)
What happens when no one stops a president—or a governor—from doing whatever they want?
Jobs disappear. Programs vanish. People pay the price.
This week’s authoritarianism explainer breaks down the guardrails that protect US democracy: The separation of powers built into our Constitution.
Think of them like the metal barriers on a mountain road—barely noticeable until you realize how much they’re protecting you.
Without a system of checks and balances in place, an unchecked leader or administration can strip away rights from their citizens one by one while ending programs that help everyday people access education, health care and any number of other resources they may take for granted.
Experts say those guardrails are under serious strain right now as Congress keeps giving in to the current administration. Courts may be the last line of defense. And if those checks and balances fail, getting them back won’t be easy.
With this in mind, it’s important to consider, as the Founders once did: Would you rather be a citizen or a subject?
