The writers and adopters of the Constitution made declaring war a "shared" power for several reasons:
1. **Checks and Balances**: By making declaring war a shared power between the President (who can deploy military forces) and Congress (who has the power to declare war), it ensures that no single branch of government has unchecked authority in deciding when to engage in war. This system of checks and balances prevents potential abuse of power and promotes careful consideration before entering into armed conflicts.
2. **Representation of the People**: Congress, being composed of elected representatives from various states, reflects the diverse viewpoints and interests of the American people. By involving Congress in the decision-making process of declaring war, it ensures that the decision is more reflective of the will of the people and not solely based on the President's discretion.
3. **Deliberation and Debate**: Declaring war is a significant decision with far-reaching consequences. By requiring both the President and Congress to agree on the decision to go to war, it promotes thorough deliberation, debate, and consideration of the implications of entering into armed conflict. This process encourages a more thoughtful and informed decision-making process.
In summary, the shared power of declaring war in the Constitution was established to prevent abuse of power, ensure representation of the people's interests, and promote careful deliberation before engaging in military actions.
