To avoid despotism, never invest too much authority in any one leader. We have a Constitution that breathes this understanding, but we would do well to follow that Constitution better.
If the president can make all appointments completely on his own, and enter treaties entirely at his own discretion, and enter wars without asking anyone's permission, his power is -- well -- absolute. We have heard our president use that term, "absolute." We have also heard him suggest he is the chief law enforcement officer in the land, as he wanders into affairs of the judicial branch.
The Constitution says appointments and treaties and declarations of war need approval of the Senate. Thus, there is a check against an authoritarian government gaining foothold in America. But, if we do not follow that Constitution, an authoritarian government might, indeed, gain foothold.
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