The article argues that recent executive overreach and politicization have severely undermined established norms of U.S. civil-military relations. To restore professional standards, the incoming Congress must actively exercise its oversight powers, moving beyond mere criticism to demanding transparency in defense policy and personnel decisions. Key reforms include enforcing meritocratic promotion processes, requiring documented justification for senior officer removals, and preventing the partisan use of the military. These actions are crucial for bolstering public trust and ensuring the military remains a nonpartisan instrument of civilian control.
How cultural expression shapes policymaking and why it matters for democracy
English Summary
Cultural expression is a vital, yet politically vulnerable, pillar of democracy, actively shaping public narratives and driving legislative change. Historically, art forms like film and music have empowered marginalized communities, forcing policy shifts—from civil rights legislation to mental health acts. However, current political battles over institutions like the Smithsonian demonstrate this vulnerability. To safeguard democracy, the article recommends structural reforms, such as adopting independent, "arms-length" funding models (like the UK's) and strengthening state-federal partnerships to shield cultural funding from political interference.
中文摘要
文化表達是民主體系中至關重要但又政治上脆弱的支柱，它積極地塑造著公共敘事並推動立法變革。從歷史上看，電影和音樂等藝術形式曾賦權給邊緣群體，迫使政策發生轉變——從民權立法到精神健康法案。然而，當前圍繞史密森尼等機構的政治爭鬥，恰恰展現了這種脆弱性。為維護民主，本文建議進行結構性改革，例如採用獨立的「非直接干預式」資金模式（如英國模式），並加強邦聯合作，以保護文化資金免受政治干預。
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