The United States constitution was created by people who suffered oppression and dictatorships from the European countries. These people were also highly intelligent men that had knowledge of earlier history and attempted to establish a type of government which resembled the democracies of Old Greece. Having also analyzed John Locke and Thomas Hobbes the ancestors and forefathers of the US constitution looked to set up a type of government which prohibited a dictator or tyrant leader from seizing power from the individuals.
The ancestors and forefathers developed a democratic republic where power was distributed among the 3 branches of government. Generally known as the “Separation of Powers” or the method of controls the federal government, it split into 3 branches; legislative, judicial and executive. Each branch keeps particular powers that are able of overriding the other branches of federal government. Each brank also has particular responsibilities that balance the job of federal government.
The Legislative branch consists of 2 houses, the United States senate and the House of Representatives. The main objective of these 2 branches is to develop regulations for the country and to make sure that the regulations and activities of the other two branches are in the interest of the people. A few of the main powers of the legislative branch incorporate: passing federal regulations, establishment of lower federal courts, bypass of the Presidential veto, and the authority to impeach federal government officers which includes the president. The US senate, the 2nd half of the legislative branch, has the exclusive authority to confirm the President's appointments. For example to federal organizations, and to ratify treaties with international powers. The Senate also tries impeachment lawsuits for federal government officers referred to it through the House of Representatives. To pass laws and deliver it to the President for his signature. Both the House as well as the Senate should pass the same bill by majority vote. In case the President vetoes a bill, the houses might bypass the president’s veto by passing the bill once again with a minimum of two-thirds from both houses. The responsibility of the Executive branch is to put in force the regulations of the US. The division is headed by the President of the US. The President is considered the most important individual in the US government. The president signifies the country to the other countries in the world and speaks for the American citizens. But the activities and views of the President represent the Executive branch as a whole. The authority of the Executive branch is vested in the President, who also works as leader of state and Commander-in-Chief of the military. The President’s duties are inclusive of implementing and enforcing the laws and regulations authored by Congress and as a consequence is given the authority to employ the leaders of federal organizations.
The three branches of government are meant to communicate in a way which upholds the constitution to develop a more perfect nation, set up Justice, make sure there is national tranquility, look after the normal security, encourage general wellbeing, and get the benefits of freedom for ourselves and our Children. The 3 branches of government are created to communicate in a way which saves the liberty for the people while at the same time preserving the safety and security. Essentially, the 3 branches of federal government are the social contract of the United States. Due to the fact that each branch is created by way of democratic process the people eventually retain the power to influence officers through voting.
The relationship of the 3 branches of federal government is frequently problematic due to the different populations represented by different reps. The House of Representatives is frequently at odds with itself along with the United States Senate due to the larger quantity of constituents representing different interests across bigger demographics as well as points of views. For example, a state like California that has 53 representatives is also split up 69% Democratic and 31% Republican. This results in a disparity in voting in which big parts of the human population can never be completely pleased with congressional judgments. This difference can be viewed like a failure in the legislative process, but in some way the nation has been able to develop financially as well as culturally by abiding by a majority rule.
One more failure of the system is the balance of power between branches of federal government. Since the executive branch regulates the army and police power, it is actually the biggest seat of power in federal government. There have been instances where the president has announced martial law. President Lincoln announced martial law in Maryland so as to end southern sympathizers from revolting at the start of the Civil War. The suspension of civil liberties and imposing of army rule is permitted in the constitution. Article 1, Section 9 says, "The right of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be stopped, until when in Cases of Revolt or Attack the general public Security may need it." But the authority to suspend Habeas Corpus is vested in the Executive division and this authority is available to the president. The president can announce martial law at any time for many reasons. The issue is that congress is a slower acting part of federal government and even though it could meet swiftly to prevent the president. The voting process could take some time and it cannot go against the president’s decision. In this case, if the Congress and the Executive divisions end up deadlocked, the Judiciary would have to rule so as to break the deadlock.
However, due to the president’s authority to command the army and police there is the probability that the President could misuse power. This problem has happened before with the famous Watergate scandal concerning Richard Nixon. President Nixon misused his power by using federal government intelligence and law enforcement organizations to cover up presidential wrongdoings.
However in spite of these types of inherent defects, the US continues to develop. The ancestors and forefathers of the constitution were worried about a lone tyrant or a foreign power taking charge of the US. Throughout the early years of the United States, the divisions of authority between the state and federal governments were of more concern. The ancestors and forefathers required to have an efficient and effective type of government which was also manageable.
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