Lo shutdown federale negli Stati Uniti: eccezione o regola di una democrazia polarizzata?

Abstract

The federal shutdown in the United States: exception or rule of a polarized democracy? - In the United States, government shutdowns have been occurring with increasing frequency, leading to the halt of the federal administration. This happens when Congress can’t reach an agreement and doesn’t approve the budget by the start of the fiscal year. The consequences are paralysis, a total stop to all forms of discretionary spending, forced leave for hundreds of thousands of federal employees, and the closure of public offices. The essay links the frequency of these crises in President-Congress cooperation to political instability and the crisis of American constitutionalism. The budget process demonstrates the fallibility even of strong forms of government.

Keywords: United States of America; Budget process; Government shutdown; American constitutionalism; Form of government