ChinaTalk

Why Congress Can Save Us All

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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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    ChinaTalkBy Jordan Schneider
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