The Staying Power of U.S. Democratic InstitutionsNavigating Modern‐Day Political Strains Why Institutions MatterAmerican democracy rests on a lattice of formal rules and informal habits that has been assembled—and repeatedly modified—over more than two centuries. At the constitutional core are three separate branches of government, each empowered to restrain the others. Layered on top is federalism, which parcels authority between Washington and the states. Together, these design choices spread power widely and invite citizen oversight. Yet documents alone cannot keep a republic healthy. Unwritten norms—respect for the law, acceptance of election results, and a habit of compromise—give the framework life. When...
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