Constitution Provides Separation Of Powers And Checks And Balances
Mid Term – Question 1
The first step in explaining how the Constitution provides separation of powers and checks and balances is to define the Constitution. A constitution is a governing document that sets forth a country’s basic rules of government and politics. (Lenz & Holman, 2016) The Constitution establishes the basic framework of government, allocates government powers, and guarantees individual rights. (Lenz & Holman, 2016)
The above description makes it clear that our founding Fathers expected Government to abide by guidelines they set forth. One of the most important features of constitutional government is the fact that the Constitution cannot be changed by majority rule. The Constitution cannot be changed by ordinary laws—legislation passed by majority vote. Constitutional amendments require super majority votes. (Lenz & Holman, 2016) The checks and balances purpose is directly related to the intention to limit government power. (Lenz & Holman, 2016) Our Founders created the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches of Government in order to separate powers and for each to provide check and …show more content…
The legislative branch is made up of the House and Senate, known collectively as the Congress. Among other powers, the legislative branch makes all laws, declares war, regulates interstate and foreign commerce and controls taxing and spending policies. ("Branches of Government · House.gov", 2016) The executive branch consists of the President, his or her advisors and various departments and agencies. This branch is responsible for enforcing the laws of the land. ("Branches of Government · House.gov", 2016) The judicial branch consists of the U.S. Supreme Court and the Federal Judicial Center. According to the Constitution, "[t]he judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish." ("Branches of Government · House.gov",
The first step in explaining how the Constitution provides separation of powers and checks and balances is to define the Constitution. A constitution is a governing document that sets forth a country’s basic rules of government and politics. (Lenz & Holman, 2016) The Constitution establishes the basic framework of government, allocates government powers, and guarantees individual rights. (Lenz & Holman, 2016)
The above description makes it clear that our founding Fathers expected Government to abide by guidelines they set forth. One of the most important features of constitutional government is the fact that the Constitution cannot be changed by majority rule. The Constitution cannot be changed by ordinary laws—legislation passed by majority vote. Constitutional amendments require super majority votes. (Lenz & Holman, 2016) The checks and balances purpose is directly related to the intention to limit government power. (Lenz & Holman, 2016) Our Founders created the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches of Government in order to separate powers and for each to provide check and …show more content…
The legislative branch is made up of the House and Senate, known collectively as the Congress. Among other powers, the legislative branch makes all laws, declares war, regulates interstate and foreign commerce and controls taxing and spending policies. ("Branches of Government · House.gov", 2016) The executive branch consists of the President, his or her advisors and various departments and agencies. This branch is responsible for enforcing the laws of the land. ("Branches of Government · House.gov", 2016) The judicial branch consists of the U.S. Supreme Court and the Federal Judicial Center. According to the Constitution, "[t]he judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish." ("Branches of Government · House.gov",