Michael Glennon and Public imagination

American History

When it comes to the public imagination, Michael Glennon says that Britain’s dignified

institutions connect its people to the country’s rich history. He argues that by conjuring up

images of ancient majesty, theatricality, and historical significance, they can elicit strong

emotional responses from the general population. The main job of governing is done by the

second group of institutions, Britain’s efficient institutions. Parliament, Cabinet and Prime

Minister of Britain are all included. To describe it in terms of Bagehot’s words: Its dignified

elements are intricate and intimidating, while its efficient part is simple and somewhat

contemporary. However, throughout time, two sets of institutions developed.

To avoid a public trust crisis, he depicts the institutions as a camouflaged republic that

obscures the tremendous power transfer. As a result, this crisis has been avoided because

efficient organizations have been careful to conceal where they begin and finish. The dignified

institutions continue to participate in some actual governance, and the efficient institutions

continue to participate in at least some inspirational public ceremonial and ritual due to their

efforts. This encourages public trust in efficient institutions and the perception that they still

wield actual power.” Both the show and the real institutions provide Britain with the skills and

experience necessary to master the art of governance while also serving as a front for the public

to accept the judgments made by the experts. “Double government” is the term used by Michael

Glennon to characterize this situation. In Plato’s day, two millennia ago, the “Noble Lie” was

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required to protect a state from the deadly excesses of democracy and secure devotion to a

golden guardian elite.

Michael Glennon reminds out that several organizations and departments make up the

national security apparatus, including the military, intelligence, law enforcement, diplomats, and

others. This means that the elected representatives in the United States government – the

president and members of Congress – are not the ones who directly oversee national security:

“America’s efficient institution makes the vast majority of key decisions concerning national

security, away from the public eye and away from the constitutional limitations that check

America’s dignified institutions.” According to Glennon, this reasoning is based on the National

Security Act of 1947, which laid the groundwork for the present security system. This legislation

also provided agencies and departments with rules that were self-regulating and self-enforcing

and increased their autonomy.