An Analysis of the Systemic Structure of the U.S. Constitution Providing New Insight into the Fragmentation and Conflict Facing U.S. Society and Providing Guidance Towards More Effective Governance

Abstract

AbstractTo a great extent, the effectiveness of a government may be traced to its constituting documents which serve as a guide or map for how it is supposed to function. From a systems perspective, we may expect a more systemic Constitution to inform the operation of a government that is more systemic and so more effective. This paper uses Integrative Propositional Analysis (IPA) to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the systemic structure of the US Constitution. The analysis finds that the US Constitution has a vanishingly low level of structure. This previously unrecognized lack of structure provides a new explanation for why the nation is increasingly misgoverned (and/or more difficult to govern) and why divisions are deepening between partisan groups, leading to argument and conflict. A path forward is suggested to develop a more systemic Constitution and more effective governance; one supporting a more just, prosperous, and sustainable society.