Political Process Paper

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“The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, selfappointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.” —James Madison, Federalist No. 47 Under the autocratic rule of King George III, innumerable problems, rebellions, and challenges arose among the American colonies. Consequently, once free from Britain, Americans persistently experimented with various types of government. The result was the United States Constitution, which created a governmental system known as federalism. The system of checks and balances, an essential feature of the federalist government, ensures a balance of power between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches and prevents the government from duplicating the tyrannical acts of King George III. The executive branch of the United States consists of the president, vice president, cabinet members, and administrative departments. According to the Constitution, the role of this branch is to enforce laws. In order to accomplish this, the president signs bills passed by Congress. This is not the president’s sole power, however. The executive branch is able to limit the authority of the other branches. For example, if the president does not agree with laws made by the legislative branch, he or she has the privilege to veto, or refuse to pass, the bills. With this power, Congress cannot enforce unreasonable or hasty laws. In addition, the president checks the power of the judicial branch, as shown in Article II of the U.S. Constitution: “ […] he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, […] Judges of the supreme Court […] (U... ... middle of paper ... ...departments have distinguishing powers, though each one restrains the others from obtaining too much authority. With this controlled government, the United States of America has prospered since the Founding Fathers composed the Constitution 225 years ago. Works Cited Deverell, William, and Deborah G. White. "The Constitution of the United States." United States History: Beginnings to 1877. Orlando, FL: Holt McDougal, 2012. 188-215. Print. Deverell, William, and Deborah G. White. "Understanding the Constitution." United States History: Beginnings to 1877. Orlando, FL: Holt McDougal, 2012. 182-86. Print. Garcia, Jesus. Creating America: A History of the United States. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, 2005. Print. Madison, James. "The Federalist Papers: Federalist No. 47." THOMAS (Library of Congress). Library of Congress, n.d. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.

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