A government refers to the legislatures and administrators who control a state at any given time, and is the system of government by which they are organized. Governments enforce policies, as well as determining what should be put into policy. Each government is made up of individuals who exercise control over political decision making and policy making. The function of government is to enforce laws, legislate new ones, and control conflict. The government is in certain ways a means of controlling the people of the respective countries, and making sure the people have specific rights.
The constitution guarded against tyranny in several ways such as federalism, separation of powers, check and balances, and the big states vs. small states. The first guard against tyranny was federalism, which meant a system of government in which power is divided between a federal government and state government. The guard of federalism is shown two ways, one of them is the government will each control each other and at the same time each would be controlled. The second way is when some responsibilities are given to the state government so that they can share the power equally. Federalism protects against tyranny because powers that are given to central and state are shared, it also ensures that the federal government doesn’t have much to say in what happens in the country so they wont become powerful and create tyranny.
Federalism Helps citizens protect themselves against tyranny through the use of the constitution. Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between federal government and a state government. The guard of federalism is shown in the constitution when they made the compound government to make sure the federal government does not too much power. Another way is when responsibilities are given to the state government so that they share the power equally. (Doc A).
What is the main purpose of the Constitution? The main function of the constitution is to guide the branches of government. The constitution summarizes the each branch power and rights for every state. Also, the constitutions spell out the significance of trials, civil liberties, and unmistakably describe responsibility of government agencies. For example, the constitution explains the civil liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, and media access.
Identify the important features of the policymaking system and explain how pubic policies are the choices that government makes – and declines to make-in response to political issues. 4. Understand the nature of democratic government and traditional democratic theory, and the key questions concerning democracy. 5. Distinguish between the three contemporary theories of American democracy and politics (pluralist, elite and class, and hyperpluralist) and identify some of their strengths and weaknesses.
This is essential for our government to maintain a balance between the three branches without overreach by one over another. Montesquieu said, “To prevent the abuse of power, ’tis necessary that by the very disposition of things power should be a check to power,”(200) he also went on to say, “These three powers should naturally form a state of repose or inaction”(211). Each branch has a certain limited power over the other whether it be the president vetoing legislation, legislators impeaching the president or supreme court justices, or the Supreme Court finding legislation or executive action unconstitutional and/or not in the public’s best interest. It is argued that the judicial branch has no real power, seeing that it has no real enforcement or any legislative capabilities, but its sway is held through recognition and respect. In order to limit the power of congress it is divided into an upper and lower house.
Although the U.S. Constitution lays out the basic structure for politics, there is more to the “constitution with a small c” of the United States. An example is the U.S. Supreme Court’s power to overturn any act of congress if it is
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the UK constitution? The UK constitution is a set of rules relating to how the state is to be run and organised. These rules, which in the case of the UK constitution can be either written or unwritten due to the uncodified nature of the constitution, define the functions and powers of major institutions of government, the relationships between said institutions, and the relationship between the individual and the state (through individual rights). The primary function of a constitution is to provide legitimacy to those in power; however it also defines the limits of government power, protects freedom and distributes power within the political system. The UK constitution is somewhat unique in that it is one of only three states to have an uncodified constitution (the others being New Zealand and Israel).
The Legislative Branch consists of the Senate and House of Representatives. Checks and balances create independence amongst the Judicial, Executive, and Legislative branches of the U.S. government. Examples of checks and balances include the Presidential veto of a Congressional bill, the Congressional impeachment of the President, or the Judicial ruling of Congressional laws that violate the U.S. Constitution. Each branch has its own actions and rules of conduct, giving them the freedom to legally operate without limitation from another branch. Each part of the U.S. government is limited in their power as given by the Constitution.
Totalitarianism: system of government in which the government essentially controls every aspect of people’s livs. xxii. Authoritarianism: system of government in which the governments holds strong powers but is checked by some forces. xxiii. Constitutionalism: government that is structured by law, and in which the power of government is limited.