tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20236701.post4745911331212411542..comments2024-01-02T19:45:37.874-05:00Comments on National Security Policy: Can Congress "Trump" TrumpRobert Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12233771830519084383noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20236701.post-37790208844622333022016-12-12T14:39:00.124-05:002016-12-12T14:39:00.124-05:00The real problem is that - especially in matters o...The real problem is that - especially in matters of foreign policy intervention - the notion of checks to the President through separation of powers, must finally depend on real and present quarrelsome discourse between the three branches of government. It may be that the President can not control the other two branches technically, but if Congress agrees with him and the Supreme Court is composed of just one or two key individuals, (at present one new appointment could be enough) the outrageous decisions can slide through. The commanding present case is Taiwan and China and the challenge to the 'one China' compromise. Given a background of commercial irritation between China and the US, where the US really does seem to need some major concessions relating to Chinese commercial power, then we can imagine decisions at the legislative and judicial working in conformity with that of the White House.<br />This is not abstraction. Whether historical curbing of Presidents has arisen primarily from the Constitution as such or from the separation of powers in particular, there is every indication that the political culture of the US now allows for untoward results - institutional process may be kept to but a maverick President might win a case against the welfare of the American people. In the present instance the small island of Taiwan looks of little matter to many in Congress, using it once more as a pawn in a great power game is becoming more likely.<br />Ian Inkster SOAS, London.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09640970552023453558noreply@blogger.com