The Fourth Branch

In The Fourth Branch: Reconstructing the Administrative State for the Commercial Republic, Brian J. Cook examines the challenges facing the American constitutional system and the role of the administrative state in addressing them. He advocates for a constitutional redesign that recognizes a fourth branch—an administrative branch—aiming to improve the separation of powers, accountability, and public engagement. Cook suggests that such a transformation could enhance the effectiveness and legitimacy of governance without simply Overhauling or deepening current structures.