The Inherent Defects of the Weimar Constitution:

1. Proportional Representation:
- The Weimar Constitution adopted a proportional representation system for electing members of the Reichstag.
- This system led to the fragmentation of political parties and hindered the formation of stable majority governments.
- It allowed for the rise of extremist parties like the Nazis and Communists, who gained representation in the Reichstag.

2. Article 48:
- Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution granted the President emergency powers to rule by decree in times of crisis.
- This provision enabled the President to bypass the Reichstag and take unilateral actions.
- It paved the way for the abuse of power and contributed to the erosion of democracy.

3. Weaknesses of the President:
- The President held significant powers under the Weimar Constitution, including the ability to dissolve the Reichstag.
- This concentration of power in the hands of the President made it difficult to form stable governments and resulted in frequent changes in leadership.
- The presidency became a position of political influence rather than a neutral role.

What Made the Weimar Constitution Unstable:

1. Economic Challenges:
- The Weimar Republic faced severe economic difficulties, including hyperinflation and high unemployment.
- These economic challenges undermined public trust in the government and contributed to social unrest.
- The inability of the government to effectively address these issues weakened the stability of the constitution.

2. Political Extremism:
- The proportional representation system allowed extremist parties to gain representation in the Reichstag.
- The Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler, capitalized on the weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution and exploited public discontent.
- The rise of political extremism further destabilized the government and eventually led to the collapse of the republic.

3. Lack of Public Support:
- The Weimar Constitution lacked broad public support due to its association with the defeat in World War I and the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
- Many Germans viewed the constitution as a product of the "November Criminals" who had betrayed the nation.
- This lack of legitimacy and public trust undermined the stability of the constitution.

4. Weaknesses in Checks and Balances:
- The Weimar Constitution did not have strong checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power.
- The concentration of power in the hands of the President, combined with the emergency powers granted by Article 48, allowed for the erosion of democratic principles.
- The lack of effective mechanisms to hold the government accountable contributed to its instability.

In conclusion, the Weimar Constitution had inherent defects that made it unstable. The proportional representation system, Article 48, weaknesses in the presidency, economic challenges, political extremism, lack of public support, and weaknesses in checks and balances all contributed to the instability of the constitution and the eventual collapse of the Weimar Republic.