The Role of Government, Federalism

The Role of Government, Federalism

Me: Wow, I cannot believe my eyes, you are Benjamin Franklin.

Benjamin Franklin: you should believe your eyes, I am Benjamin Franklin , tell me what year is it? And where are we standing?

Me: Its 2012, and we are standing in the United States of America.

Benjamin Franklin: well the U.S.A. looks very different, since my time.

Me: Yes it is, it has seen prosperous days of its time, and now U.S.A. is considered to be among top of the list in the developed countries of world.

Benjamin Franklin: How is the political situation?

Me: We are living in one of the most liberal countries in the world, democracy prevails and we hold the flag of expression of freedom all around the globe.

Benjamin Franklin: tell me the current situation of federalist representative form of government. What do you know about it and what you think about it?

Me: Federalism is basically the mechanism by which two or more governments in the same geographic area share power and distribute responsibilities (LaCroix, and Alison, 2010). We have our constitution that dictates the governments, both, the state and federal to be eligible for holding and exercising certain powers, while refraining to use the others (Gerston, and Larry, 2007).

Benjamin Franklin: Right, can you explain the roles of the various branches of government, their administrative functions, and their structural and political characteristics, I need to know so I can better understand the relationships.

Me: sure, the U.S presently has three branches of government, the judicial, legislative and executive. Each of these branches has their own unique role and importance in the proper functioning of the government (Peter and Strauss, 1989).

Benjamin Franklin: I know they are important, tell me a bit in detail.

Me: The executive branch is under the control of President, he or she has the prime power. This branch consists of 15 cabinet level departments, vice president and the president above all (Trethan, 2012).

Benjamin Franklin: what is the function of it?

Me: The chief role of this branch is to ensure that, laws are enforced and federal government plays its function from day to day activities like, tax collection to more broad topics, like safeguarding the homeland, economic and political interest in/from the rest of the world. Then the second one is the legislative branch, which consists of House of Representatives and senate. This collectively known as Congress. The legislative branch has representatives from all the states proportionate to the population of their states. The legislative branch is charged with the responsibility of passing the laws and furthermore, allocates the funds to federal government. It also allocates fun to provide assistance to 50 U.S. states.

The last one is the Judicial Branch, consists of U.S. Supreme Court and lower federal Courts.

Benjamin Franklin: Can you tell me the role courts play in determining the nature of federal-state relations?

Me: The legislative branch which includes the higher courts is primary responsible for the interpretation of legislation. Nine justices, life time appointments selected ...