...Running Head: THE MAINLEVELS OF THE U.S. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT The Main Levels of the U.S. Federal Government Lynn Todd Colorado Technical University Online PBAD200-0904A-13 American Government Professor Jamie Boyd October 12, 2009 The U.S. Government is composed up of three key branches, the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch, and the Judicial Branch. Each branch has its own powers, functions, checks, and balances. First, we will look at the history of the Constitution. During the 1600’s many Europeans left Britain in search of economic, political, and intellectual freedoms. However, they remained under the power of Britain, which functioned under a unitary system of government with one national power that permitted it to take action against any individual. During the Revolutionary war, the states battled with Britain, and won their freedom from the unitary system of government of Britain (CTU online, 2008, phase 1 multimedia presentation)....
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...Date of submission Constitution The constitution of the United States has three articles that explain the how powers are separated as well as checks and balances among the branches of the federal government. The federal government consists of three main branches that have separate powers. The three branches of the federal government include; the judiciary, the executive as well as the legislature. Among the three branches, each one of them is tasked with independent as well as separate functions and mandate. Among the three main branches of the federal government, there is none of them which can assume the functions of another. The separation of powers provides specific functions for each branch. The legislature which consists of the congress makes the laws for the nation, the executive that consists of the president implements the laws while the judiciary that entails the court system interprets and defines legal conflicts (Peterson 89). There is none of the three branches which can assume the functions of another. However, the three branches of the federal government are interrelated. They collaboratively work with each other hence checks and balances for the federal government. The checks and balances ensure that there is no single arm of the government that attempts to assume too much power (Peterson 78). Under the checks and balances for the federal government, the functions of one arm of the federal government are used as to control as well as modify the powers of the...
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...United States vs Japanese Government In. 1788 the United States government outline is laid out in the Constitution, making the United States one of the first modern national constitutional republic, with the principle that all people have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. One hundred and fifty nine later in 1947, the Japanese Constitution was formed, following closely in the form of the United States government; with the three principles of sovereignty of the people, respect for fundamental human rights, and renunciation of war. Both of these unique governments are separated into three different powerful branches; the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. However, the way that three branches are ran within these two nations differ. The purpose of this essay is to examine these branches, and identify the differences between the two governments. The executive branch of the United States, is the over seer of the United States. As commander in chief of the U.S. Armed Forces, the president is the leader of the country. The president has the power to convene Congress, appoint ambassadors to other nations; appoint Supreme Court justices and other federal judges, and is expected to carry out and enforce laws of the United States. Meanwhile in Japan, the Executive power falls in the hands of a prime minister. The prime minister is designated by the National Diet, Japan’s legislative branch. The prime minister has the power to present bills to the Diet...
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...United States vs Japanese Government In. 1788 the United States government outline is laid out in the Constitution, making the United States one of the first modern national constitutional republic, with the principle that all people have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. One hundred and fifty nine later in 1947, the Japanese Constitution was formed, following closely in the form of the United States government; with the three principles of sovereignty of the people, respect for fundamental human rights, and renunciation of war. Both of these unique governments are separated into three different powerful branches; the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. However, the way that three branches are ran within these two nations differ. The purpose of this essay is to examine these branches, and identify the differences between the two governments. The executive branch of the United States, is the over seer of the United States. As commander in chief of the U.S. Armed Forces, the president is the leader of the country. The president has the power to convene Congress, appoint ambassadors to other nations; appoint Supreme Court justices and other federal judges, and is expected to carry out and enforce laws of the United States. Meanwhile in Japan, the Executive power falls in the hands of a prime minister. The prime minister is designated by the National Diet, Japan’s legislative branch. The prime minister has the power to present bills to the Diet...
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...The United States government is a powerful force that runs the whole country. The government contains many different parts and people in the it. There are three branches which all do different things that help the United States of America. But all three branches must work together to run this country. The three branches are the Executive, Judicial, and the Legislative branch. This is why our country is so strong. We don’t just have one part of the government making all of the decisions. If that was the case, then things would be out of control. The Legislative branch is in charge of making the laws to help keep the country safe. Without this branch, laws wouldn't be laws and our country would be a whole different place. The Legislative...
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...Discussion Board The United States Constitution sole purpose is to protect the citizens of the United States from the government. There are three branches of the federal government that are used to create the laws and policies within the states. The three branches are Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. All three branches oversee different parts of the government and have different roles that they play however they all limited powers as to what they can do as separate entities The Legislative Branch is headed by Congress to include the senate and House of Representatives. Their duties are to make the laws for which we are to abide. The powers include passing laws and bills, impeaching officials, and approving treaties. The Executive branch is headed by the President. The duties of this branch is to enforce and recommend federal laws, direct the government, and commanding the armed forces to name a few. The Judicial court is headed by the Supreme Court. The main function of this branch is to interpret the constitution, reviewing law and hearing cases involving violation of state rights (The Three Branches of Government, n.d.). The sole purpose of having the three branches is so there is no dictatorship, and tranny within the government so by triple checking everything between the branches is great. Checks and balances are much needed to ensure that no one branch gains more power over the other (Checks and Balances, n.d.). There three branches need to ensure that the laws...
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...Veronica Sellars POS 301 August 5, 2012 Self-Government Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Of the people by the people Authority to vote for and delegate the authority to elect government representatives Ability to change the constitution or laws when need be No one person or group has majority power and/or control 3 separate branches each with distinct power Work together to serve the people Ensures the three branches work together In place to prevent any single branch to have the ability to overpower the other Prevents dictatorship The Effectiveness of the Check and Balance System In the creation of the Constitution the framers divided powers between the different branches of government. The three levels of government are executive, legislative and judicial. The framers wanted them to be separated in so that they could perform on different levels while still and yet not allowing one branch is more power than the other. The framers knew that in order to provide the people with the type of government that they were trying to build; they would have to put into place a system in which each branch would be held responsible for their actions and/or decisions. This is how the check and balance system came into existence. Each branch functions on its own and has certain responsibilities. Each branch even tries to have more power than the other however; with the checks and balance system that the framers put into place prevents...
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...The Constitution of the United States was humbly made in 1787, in which the Founding Fathers, also known as the ‘Framers’, seeked to create what would be needed to rule amongst. Having seen the course of the country beforehand the Constitution, these men wanted a form of government that wouldn’t allow an individual or group with either too much control, power or authority. The Framers had already undergone brutal experience with the way other sorts of government ruled upon such as monarchy from the British. Their ideals were mainly based on a way of providing a right and just system for the people to depend firmly on. Therefore, with much thought process, they made the Constitution set up the government into three separate branches of government....
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...Branches of Government Patrick Henry, an amazing orator, was once quoted as saying, “The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government” (Patrick Henry, 2014). It is for this reason that the United States government was formed in a way that would protect its citizen’s rights and freedoms; at the same time, keeping civil peace and harmony amid all populations of this new nation. In order to “form a more perfect union” the forefathers of the United States of America generated a balance in the interior of the government. The division of the government into three branches would therefore establish a series of checks and balances that set into action the proposition that all men and the government are created equal. Three Branches There are three types of branches of government that the American people deal with: executive, legislative, and judicial. The first branch of government is the executive government. According to The White House website (n.d.), “The power of the Executive Branch is vested in the President of the United States, who also acts as head of state and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The President is responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws written by Congress and, to that end, appoints the heads of the federal agencies, including the Cabinet. The Vice President is also part of the Executive Branch, ready to assume the Presidency should the need arise...
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...Branches of Government Our Constitution of the United States of America was written for the people. Our lives revolve around the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government, which are in Articles 1, 11, and 111 of the Constitution. Article 1, which consists of the legislative branch (Congress), revolves around the Senate who holds the elections for new Senators and divides into three classes when they meet to vote a person in or out. Also the house of representative, which determines what rules everyone, must follow. However, both the representatives and Senators pay comes from the treasury department. Article 11, which consists of the executive branch or (President), revolves around the president powers, and job requirements. Also in this Article is impeachment, which comes in effect if the president or any officers (civil) commit a crime. Finally, Article 111 consists of the judicial branch or (Supreme Court), which revolves around the highest judges in power who will receive a nice compensation for his or her services and treason, which is anyone providing goods to the enemy and two people witnessing will face punishment from Congress. However, in this paper the team will provide information to show why the government was split into three branches and how the people benefit from this. The obstacles the powers presented to legislation, and the difference between the federal government and champion of state rights from then to now. The Constitution is a very...
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...The Constitutional Convention was an important event because it is what lead us to the government we have now. The different compromises are what lead to the methods that were used and still being used nowadays The Constitutional Convention was a meeting that took place in Philadelphia in 1787. The purpose of that meeting was to rewrite the Articles of Confederation. There were fifty five men who were delegates, their purpose was to have the federal government strengthen. The delegates did not think that rewriting the Articles of Confederation would actually work out. Eventually they wrote the U.S. Constitution. George Washington was chosen to lead the convention. All of the delegates had to agree that every state would get one vote. They did not want anyone to know about what was going on during the convention meetings. The delegates made sure to keep everything a secret, anyone who was not a delegate were not allowed to attend any meetings. We have no written documents because they kept everything a secret of what had occurred during the meetings. The only details we have today is from a notebook that belonged to James Madison. However, James Madison is known as the “Father of the Constitution.” He had also helped write the federalist papers. At the Constitutional Convention James Madison had done a very good job. When the delegates had to decided to write the “Bill of Rights” he was against it. James Madison was afraid that the future people would just go by those...
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...Federalist built the United States for America in to what the American people experience today and their main goal was to see America governed by the people and become a model for countries around the globe. American federalism is defined by the United States Constitution as a “fundamental aspect of American government, whereby the states are not merely regional representatives of the federal government, but are granted independent power and responsibilities” (USA, Constitution). However this definition is constantly changing and took a long bumpy road to get where it is today. The United States constitution was drafted on September 17th, 1787 and ratified on June 21st, 1788. The United States became a sovereign nation on July 4th, 1776 at the signing of the Declaration of Independence, but they needed a Constitution. The Articles of Confederation were drafted on November 7th, 1777 and ratified on March 1st, 1781. This document was signed by the thirteen original colonies that made up the United States of America and served as its first constitution. After becoming sovereign nation it became clear to many that the Articles of Confederation would not be able to hold a nation together. Under the Article of Confederation there was a unicameral legislative that provided no separation of power. The central government appeared to be too weak because under the Articles of Confederation most of the power was retained by the states. Congress had no power to tax therefore, they were unable...
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...vesting the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government in separate bodies”. This means that all three branches of government are separated, so that they may not overpower one another, or the people of the United States. The United States needs separation of powers because separation of powers prevents power abuse, allows the federal government to have the use of federalism, and without separation of powers the United States would have more problems with laws such as the Controlled Substances Act. Separation of powers prevents power abuse. Having too much power is historically proven to create power abuse. Adolf Hitler is an excellent example of this. Hitler had too much power because in...
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...The Preamble to the United Constitution is the introductory portion of the constitution. It has no other function other than that it establishes the fundamental principles upon which the constitution is based. It does not recognize any right. In fact, it was never used as a basis for the recognition of the right. It does not also grant any power on the part of the federal or the state government. In fact, it was never used as a source of authority for the government. However, this does not mean that it is not important. Since the Preamble establishes the guiding principles upon which the United States Constitution was based it can be used as a basis for interpreting vague and doubtful provisions of the United Constitution. The United States Constitution is the primary document which establishes the fundamental powers of government. The United States Constitution distributes the main powers of the government to its three main branches which are the Executive, Legislative and the Judiciary. These three departments perform different functions. In the performance of these functions that are assigned to them, these three departments are the ultimate authority. For instance, the Executive is the sole department that executes the law. The Legislative is the sole department that makes and alters laws. The Judiciary is the sole department that interprets laws. The powers of the government have been conveniently divided to these three departments. This is known as the...
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...Assignment 1: Branches of Government January 27, 2013 Flow Chart of the three branches of government: LEGISLATIVE EXECUTIVE JUDICIAL Congress President The Supreme Court Vice President Makes the laws Enforces the laws Interprets the laws Senate House of Representatives Interactivity chart among the branches of government: EXECUTIVE Needs the consent of the Senate to enter into treaties with foreign governments. Veto Bills Power to appoint judges Power to pardon Power of impeachment Can override vetoes LEGISLATIVE Authorized to create federal courts and determine their jurisdiction. Approves federal judges May declare presidential acts unconstitutional JUDICIAL Has the authority to examine the acts of the other two branches of government and detmine if they are constitutional. Can declare laws unconstitutional UCC Codes to align with Branches of Government: Legislative: § 5-106. Issuance, Amendment, Cancellation, and Duration. Determines what is enforceable based on the terms set forth. § 2-403...
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