Vetocracy

{{Short description|Dysfunctional form of government where no entity has enough power to do anything}}

A vetocracy is a dysfunctional system of governance whereby no single entity can acquire enough power to make decisions and take effective charge.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/opinion/sunday/friedman-down-with-everything.html|title=Opinion | Down With Everything (Published 2012)|first=Thomas L.|last=Friedman|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 21, 2012}} Coined by American political scientist Francis Fukuyama,{{Cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2016/10/26/13352946/francis-fukuyama-ezra-klein|title=Francis Fukuyama: America is in "one of the most severe political crises I have experienced"|first=Ezra|last=Klein|date=October 26, 2016|website=Vox}} the term points to an excessive ability or willingness to use the veto power within a government or institution, without an adequate means of any override. Such limitations may point to a lack of trust among members or hesitance to cede sovereignty. More veto points typically make it more difficult to pass legislation.{{Cite book |last=Litt |first=David |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1120147424 |title=Democracy in one book or less : how it works, why it doesn't, and why fixing it is easier than you think |date=2020 |isbn=978-0-06-287936-3 |edition=First |location=New York, NY |oclc=1120147424}}

Some institutions which have been hampered by perceptions of vetocratic limitations, and even responsible for their downfall, include the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Articles of Confederation,{{Cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/world/jan-june13/power_04-11.html|title=Book Traces History and Decline of Political Power as Power of 'No' Rises | PBS NewsHour | April 11, 2013 | PBS|website=PBS|date=January 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140120221736/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/world/jan-june13/power_04-11.html|archive-date=2014-01-20}} and the League of Nations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/2642930-veto-on-common-sense-or-dangers-of-vetocracy-in-the-un.html|title=Dangers of 'Vetocracy' in the UN|website=www.ukrinform.net|date=18 February 2019 }} The present-day United Nations Security Council has been criticized for its inability to take decisive action due to the exclusive rights of veto power of permanent members.

Fukuyama suggests that public sector effectiveness in the U.S. is impeded by excessive vetoes.{{Cite web |last=Klein |first=Ezra |date=2016-10-26 |title=Francis Fukuyama: America is in "one of the most severe political crises I have experienced" |url=https://www.vox.com/2016/10/26/13352946/francis-fukuyama-ezra-klein |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=Vox |language=en}} This can lead to populism and authoritarianism as voters become frustrated with paralysis.{{Cite web |title=Raise the debt ceiling. Then fix our democracy. |url=https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/raise-debt-ceiling-then-fix-our-democracy |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=www.brennancenter.org |language=en}} In the United States, a veto is not just held by the executive branch, but there are many other opportunities or veto points to derail a law throughout the political process.