Nepal, Feb. 28 -- American democracy is viewed as one of the strongest in the world because of a set of assumptions that the constitution is based on: The political system would always respect the principle of constitutional checks and balances, the country would have a powerful president who nevertheless would be accountable for its use to the legislature and the judiciary and each wing of the government would support and control each other to maintain power balance making it possible for the people to exercise the right of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

For many observers of American politics, the notion of checks and balances is currently under increasing stress. President Donald Trump's expansive definition and use of ...