The American Founders, having studied Rome’s failure in detail, deliberately designed a better system. They created three formal branches with stricter separation of powers — but they did not stop there. They explicitly empowered a Fourth Branch: the sovereign, educated, and armed citizenry itself. [More]
Some might even call it a core purpose.
FYI, I’m almost done with Miguel Faria’s latest that includes extensive analysis of Rome during this period and will be posting a “thumbs up” review when I am. I feel bad because I’ve had it for months but it’s long and very detailed, and circumstances have forced me to just read a little at a time.
[Via Michael G]