"The balance of powers among the branches of government is the defining structure of American democracy. The Founders assumed each branch would jealously guard its own prerogatives to prevent tyrannical power. Were they wrong?".

"For thirty years Fisher has observed, informed, and even influenced Congress from his position in the Congressional Research Service. As a scholar, he has studied and published several important books on the separation of powers. Now, for the first time, he not only summarizes the well-informed observations of a distinguished career but also analyzes the reasons for this congressional failure of will and advocates practical ways to redress the balance.".

"This book will engage students of the governmental process and help them not only to understand the issues at stake in balance-of-power questions but also to learn how to conduct civic discussion and reasoned argument. In the end, Fisher advocates both a return to constitutional principle on the part of lawmakers and, especially, the education of citizens who will insist that Congress protect those principles."--BOOK JACKET.