Writing about Ancient Rome for Social Science Files, Michael G. Heller makes a sage observation about human systems of governance. Hat tip to Instapundit for the link.
Whole governance systems, which are rare, are always programmed as instructions to give preference to an impersonal rule over a discretionary choice. In practical terms, systems operate regardless of personal preferences and personal discretion. Rather, persons adapt to systems until such time as they choose not to, and then the systems fall apart.
Too much personal discretion is being exercised in DC and, as a consequence, we are inclined to resist adapting. Ergo, our system could fall apart sometime in the medium run.
