Erosion of Democracy: Examining Presidential Power and Congressional Passivity with Chris Edelson

Описание: Who actually has the power to take the United States to war?
In this episode, host Taylor Darcy sits down with constitutional law scholar Chris Edelson to break down how that power has quietly shifted away from Congress and into the hands of the presidency.

They trace how decades of congressional inaction—especially since the Korean War—have normalized presidential war-making, weakened democratic accountability, and fueled the rise of the “unitary executive” theory. Edelson explains why this isn’t a constitutional accident, but a political choice, and what it means for checks and balances today.

From historical context to current global conflicts, this conversation exposes how unchecked executive power threatens democracy—and why restoring constitutional limits is urgent. If you care about war, democracy, and who really decides America’s future, this is a conversation you can’t miss.

Takeaways:
The historical context shows that the framers of the Constitution intended Congress to have primary authority to declare war, yet this power has largely been ceded to the presidency, undermining democratic governance.
In practice, over the past seventy-five years, presidents have increasingly exercised unilateral war powers, raising significant constitutional questions about the limits of executive authority over military engagements.
The framers of the Constitution did not foresee the rise of political parties and their influence, which has led to a situation where party loyalty often supersedes constitutional accountability among lawmakers.
The alarming trend of Congress's passive complicity in executive overreach reflects a broader failure of democratic accountability, necessitating urgent reforms to restore checks and balances within the government.

🧠 FREE RESOURCES & GUIDES:
Stop Falling for Fake News (Free Guide): Learn to spot misinformation and think like a fact-checker → https://go.wedissentmedia.com/fact-ch...

🤝 SUPPORT & JOIN OUR COMMUNITY:
Become a Member: Support We Dissent Media and access exclusive perks → https://go.wedissentmedia.com/patreon

🔗 CONNECT WITH US:
Instagram: @wedissentmedia
TikTok: @wedissentmedia
Substack: https://go.wedissentmedia.com/substack
Podcast: https://podcast.wedissentmedia.com/
Website: https://wedissentmedia.com

ABOUT THIS VIDEO:
We Dissent Media is dedicated to bold, truthful, nonpartisan civic storytelling and commentary. Across shows like Daily Dissent, Perfect Union Pending, and We the Unheard, we break down complex news, legal battles, and policy debates in plain English.

Every episode is designed to help you:
• Cut through bad-faith framing
• Understand how law, power, and media shape your daily life
• Take informed, hopeful civic action in your community

We cover topics such as voting rights, Supreme Court (SCOTUS) decisions, protest and First Amendment freedoms, disinformation and media literacy, and the stories of people most affected by these systems — not just those in power.

Our mission is simple: Truth. Power. People

DISCLAIMER:
The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Nothing in this content creates an attorney–client relationship. Views expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent any organization, employer, or platform.

#CivicEducation #MediaLiteracy #KnowYourRights #WeDissentMedia #SCOTUS #Constitution #Disinformation #Democracy