American Government



Abstract

This paper describes the history of government and talks in particular how the constitution has effectively provided for the doctrine of separation of powers and checks and balances between the three branches of the government. The paper also analyses the steps through which a bill passes to become a law.

Abstractii

Introduction4

Discussion4

Constitution as a System of Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances4

The Theory of Separation of Powers: Elaborated5

The Theory of Checks and Balances6

How a Bill Becomes a Law6

Submission of Bill6

Committees6

House Procedure7

Senate Procedure7

Conference7

To the President8

Conclusion8

References9

American Government

Introduction

Since the arrival of civilizations, humans have had an inclination to structure governments. So this is a tradition and experiment going on for thousands of years. One would argue what is the purpose of having governments? Most scholars say that they are the main reason for regulation and rules in the society. The basic aim with which governments originated was the need to protect the people from conflicts and to provide order and law in the society. Governments first developed when people realized that staying in groups offered protection and that one person (www.ushistory.org, n.d, p.1).

Discussion

This section will discuss the two aspects related to governments all around the world. But my major focus will be on the process and procedures that the United States government follows in regard to the topics discussed below.

Constitution as a System of Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances

The constitution contains a state order to preserve and limit the boundaries of the three extensive powers it grants to the government and related machinery. These branches have the power to legislate, execute and to deliver judgment but they are not allowed to cross their limits and intrude in the matters of each other. So it will be quite safe to say that Americans hold a deep respect for the principle of separation of powers. The American nation supports the original idea of the framers of the constitution that the way to protect against tyranny is to divide the powers held by the government among three branches. And these branches will also help is keeping checks on each other for effective functioning. The separation of powers was created by the framers of the constitution was designed as such to do one most important thing that is to prevent the majority from ruling with an iron fist. The basic aim that the framers from their experience formulated was that no one branch of the government should be given too much power.

The three branches that are mentioned in the constitution are the Legislative, the Executive and the Judicial levels. Each of these three branches is given powers which are also limited in nature or are readily checked by other branches (Anonymous, 1987, p.1).

The Theory of Separation of Powers: Elaborated

When the colonies were free from Great Britain's rule after the Revolution the framers of the constitution were very much aware of the separation of powers and so they freely made it the part of the constitution as ...