Branches Quote by Andrew Bacevich

“The U.S. has become a defacto one-party state, with the legislative branch permanently controlled by an incumbent's party and every president exploiting his role as Commander-in-Chief to expand on the imperial prerogatives of his office.” quote by Andrew Bacevich — Download Open image

“The U.S. has become a defacto one-party state, with the legislative branch permanently controlled by an incumbent's party and every president exploiting his role as Commander-in-Chief to expand on the imperial prerogatives of his office.”

Andrew Bacevich

About This Quote

Source Book: The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism, 2008

The United States now functions like a de‑facto one‑party system where the legislature is dominated by the president’s party and each president expands executive power under the guise of commander‑in‑chief.

In simple terms: U.S. politics is dominated by one party and growing presidential power.

Key Takeaway

Watch for concentration of power and demand checks.

Themes

politics democracy executive power partisanship

Mood

concerned critical

Type

political analytical

When to use this quote

elections
policy debates
media analysis
civic education

Key Concepts

institutionalism imperialism civil‑military relations

Questions to Reflect On

How does party dominance affect policy outcomes?
What mechanisms can curb executive overreach?

A Different Perspective

The view may overlook regional political diversity and opposition movements.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2.6 out of 5 (7 ratings)

Branches Chiefs Commander in chief Commanders Controlled Incumbents Legislative branch Office Party Party President Party State Prerogative President President Exploiting Roles State Legislative States

More by Andrew Bacevich

Americans once believed that their prosperity and way of life depended on having assured access to Persian Gulf oil. Today, that is no longer…

Andrew Bacevich

Image

I began to appreciate that authentic truth is never simple and that any version of truth handed down from on high - whether by…

Andrew Bacevich

Image

Apart from a commendable determination to discomfit Trump and members of his inner circle (select military figures excepted, at least for now), journalism remains…

Andrew Bacevich

Image

We are squandering our wealth. In many respects, to the extent that we persist in our imperial delusions, we're also going to squander our…

Andrew Bacevich

Image

Memorial Day orators will say that a G.I.'s life is priceless. Don't believe it. I know what value the U.S. government assigns to a…

Andrew Bacevich

Image

Each year terrorist attacks kill far fewer Americans than do auto accidents, drug overdoses, or even lightning strikes. Yet in the allocation of government…

Andrew Bacevich

Image

Are there any military actions that the president of the United States may not order on his own authority? If so, what are they?…

Andrew Bacevich

Image

In present-day America, expressing reverence for those who serve in uniform is something akin to a religious obligation. Everyone professes to cherish America's "warriors."…

Andrew Bacevich

Image

For the majority of contemporary Americans, the essence of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness centers on a relentless personal quest to acquire,…

Andrew Bacevich

Image

Sometimes, when you can't fix the problem on your own, you need to make some compromises and find the partners who can get the…

Andrew Bacevich

Image

Why do terrorist attacks that kill a handful of Europeans command infinitely more American attention than do terrorist attacks that kill far larger numbers…

Andrew Bacevich

Image

Time and again-from the collapse of the Soviet Union to the events of 9/11 to the onset of the Arab Spring-events have caught the…

Andrew Bacevich

Image

Explore all 21 Andrew Bacevich quotes

More Branches quotes

[States and the Federal government are] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch…

Thomas Jefferson

Image

In our system of government, the judicial and legislative branches have different roles. Judges are not politicians. Judges must decide cases, not champion causes.…

Orrin Hatch