Writing from Paris, I ponder the notion that, next year, America celebrates its first quarter of a millennium as a republic since declaring independence in 1776. But the more profound and unaddressed question is whether or not America will remain a republic for the next 250 years.

The reasons for this pessimism rest in several cruel ironies.

The first is that the basis for its political system — the Constitution and its checks and balances — is no longer fit for purpose. About four-fifths of Americans tacitly agree, no longer trusting the government’s competence to govern in their interests.

The second irony is that the only American who intuitively or otherwise grasps this reality and possesses a large enough ego potentially capable of governing in these circumstances is the president.

But, so far, Donald Trump has not displayed the necessary judgmental, managerial and leadership skills critical to leading in this broken system. In fairness, no American may be up to this task.

How did we get here? The Constitution went into force in 1789 when there were 4 million Americans. About 250,000 white, male land owners voted — not directly for president and only for the House of Representatives. Seventeen percent of the population were enslaved.

Governing under the

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