Constitutional tensions over war powers reveal systemic imbalances in US governance
Original framing: “President or Congress? Who in the US has the power to declare war?” — Al Jazeera
The US has a long history of presidents acting unilaterally in war, from Lincoln during the Civil War to Truman in Korea and Bush in Iraq. These actions have often been justified through executive privilege, setting dangerous precedents for future leaders.
The debate over who holds the power to declare war in the US is not just a constitutional question but a systemic issue rooted in historical patterns of executive expansion, corporate influence, and the marginalization of affected communities.
By examining this issue through the lens of Indigenous perspectives, historical precedent, and cross-cultural governance models, we can see that the current system prioritizes short-term political control over long-term democratic accountability. Strengthening legislative oversight, promoting public engagement, and integrating international legal frameworks are essential steps toward a more just and transparent system of war decision-making.