A Nation Where Politics Directly Drives the Economy

When discussing America, one cannot overlook the extent of the President's decision-making power. The President is decisively involved in all matters, including politics, economics, foreign affairs, military actions, and social security.
Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi vociferously stated that 'politics and economics are separate,' but such a view is, in a sense, a uniquely Japanese misconception.

The profound impact of decisions made by the President, the head of government, on not only politics but also the economy and social life can be easily inferred from how the growth of the American economy has been significantly influenced by the policies of past presidents.
This is difficult for Japanese people to grasp, accustomed as they are to a parliamentary cabinet system and the long period of single-party rule by the Liberal Democratic Party after the war. That is precisely why it is important to have a solid understanding of America's political system, which could be described as a 'presidential monarchy.'

Let us now turn to the main topic.
Why can the American president undertake 'experiments' that entrust the fate of America, including its economic policies, to such an extent? The answer lies within the political system itself.

(1) Why is the American president limited to two terms? (Each term is 4 years; no third term)
(2) Why are American cabinet members prohibited from holding seats in Congress? (Current legislators cannot become ministers)
(3) Why do American political parties lack a party leader?

These three seemingly simple questions are considered to hold significant meaning in understanding American politics and economics.
Next time, we will delve into the relationship between these three questions and the American economy.

(To be continued)