I like to think in terms of checks on the Executive power. It can go from virtually unchecked, or absolute monarchy (think Augustus of Rome, or Peter the Great

I like to think in terms of checks on the Executive power. It can go from virtually unchecked, or absolute monarchy (think Augustus of Rome, or Peter the Great of Russia), to virtual paralysis (think Poland before it was partitioned by Russia, Prussia and Austria). Checks on the Executive power are both good and bad. It's tricky to find the right balance.