Quote Originally Posted by Gelatinous Cube View Post
Yeah, European governments aren't exactly an example of stability. We get our deadlock because the Politicians are greedy, you guys get yours because you took checks and balances way too far. How often do European governments basically vote to dissolve themselves? All the freaking time. That would be unheard of here. Not saying one system is better than the other, but let's not pretend European democracy works any better than American democracy.
You've got it the wrong way around... Checks and balances is something the US stayed true to, we have tended to overlook most of them. Separation of powers, for example, is basically non-existent in much of Europe. For example, our Storting(your congress) has absolute power over both the executive and the supreme court. It also consists of just one chamber, so no senate and house of representatives.

Dissolving parliament is a practice that differs from country to country. The reason for doing it also differs. Usually it's due to a vote of no confidence from the legislative on the executive.