In his two-volume masterpiece, The American Commonwealth {1888}, British scholar James Bryce wrote that it was not the U.S. Constitution itself that made the American political system work but rather what he called "usages": our unwritten rules.
In "How Democracies Die," author Steven Levitsky discusses the insights of British scholar James Bryce from his work, "The American Commonwealth." Levitsky emphasizes that Bryce argued the effectiveness of the American political system hinges not solely on the Constitution but on the informal conventions and practices that govern political behavior, referred to as "usages." These unwritten norms shape how democracy functions beyond formal legal structures.
Levitsky’s exploration highlights the importance of these unwritten rules in maintaining the health and stability of democratic institutions. As political dynamics evolve, the adherence to these conventions plays a crucial role in preventing democratic backsliding and ensuring that the system remains responsive and resilient during challenging times.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
