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Term limits restrict the number of times a person can hold a public office, with some also limiting consecutive terms. They date back to ancient Greece and Rome and are argued to provide more opportunities for people to serve in political offices and prevent career politicians from making safe choices. However, opponents argue that they are undemocratic and can result in less experienced officials. The topic continues to be debated in the US and other democracies.
Term limits refer to the maximum number of times a person can hold the same public office. A term is essentially the length of service in office once, and term limits limit the number of terms. For example, in the US presidency, a term lasts for four years. Due to term limits, a US president can only be elected to two terms for a total of eight years.
Sometimes term limits also apply to imposing limits on serving consecutive terms in a political office. You often see these types of term limits enforced in small political structures like the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) or parent organizations. A president of a local PTA can only be authorized to serve two consecutive terms. At that point someone else has to fill the position. However, in another year, the former president may be able to serve two more terms.
The concept of the limit term dates back to the first democracy of ancient Greece and the Republic of Rome. Since then, many term limits have been imposed on various offices. In the United States, the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1951, established presidential term limits. It was largely a response to the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was the only president to serve more than two terms, from 1933 to 1945.
There are several reasons why time limits are argued to be desirable. Many incumbents have an advantage over those who challenge them in the next election, simply because they hold office. By setting term limits to particular offices, more people have the opportunity to serve in various political offices, and eventually the holders have to give up their office.
Some people also feel that “career” politicians are more likely to make safe and popular choices than to follow their hearts. If people want to serve multiple mandates, they can focus on making sure they stay in office, instead of formulating or sometimes assuming unpopular viewpoints. Additionally, those positions with no term limits can affect how power is perceived due to seniority. Senior senators or House representatives, for example, may have more power or influence in some respects than newly elected officials.
People who oppose term limits feel that term limits are not democratic. They prevent people from electing the person they want as a representative when politicians are limited by term limits. According to opponents, term limits can result in less experienced government officials, and there should be no reason to change a politician who is doing his job well and making people happy.
The topic of term limits in the US Senate and other offices in the US and other democracies is likely to continue to cause considerable debate. In U.S. state and local government, some have even made it past term limits to the position of governor and, in many cities, the position of mayor. Some states also limit the terms a person can serve in state senates.
