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What are the three branches of the federal government and their powers? Give an example of how one branch might check the power of another branch. The united States Government is designed so that no one part of the government has too much power, the creators of the Constitution were diligent in outlining the structure of our government in the Articles. The division of power is outlined specifically in the first three articles. The three branches of the federal government consist of the executive branch, the legislative branch and the Judicial branch.
The ascriptions outlined In the Constitution clearly state the scope and limitations of each branch and how they serve as checks and balances for each other. James Madison played a pivotal role in the drafting of the Articles of the Constitution. Madison model of government focuses on “dispersing power among several branches and establishing constitutional safeguards to prevent any single person or group of people from controlling the government. ” Madison worked closely with other delegates to shape the final document; for this reason, he Is sometimes called the Father of the Constitution. (1) (Spark Notes Editors) Madison believed in Federalism: which is the division of power between the federal government and the states, which allows the different levels of government to check each other. The Constitution grants specific powers to the president, Congress, the states, and the people and denies them some other powers. The Constitution creates a government with three different branches. This separation of powers ensures that no branch becomes powerful enough to overtake the other two.
The legislative branch, otherwise known as Congress, makes the laws, the executive branch, AKA the president and vice-president, enforces the laws, and the judicial branch, the courts (including but not limited to the Supreme Court, interprets the law. Each branch functions Independently from the others, each having its own powers and area of Influence. No branch can accomplish anything of major Importance without the cooperation of at least one of the others. The framers balanced the power of the government among the three separate and independent branches so that no one branch can control the others.
Each branch has specific power to check or limit the power of the others. Congress writes laws and can override a presidential veto, has the power of the purse and control over the budget, has the ability to impeach the president, and approves presidential treaties and appointments. The president can veto bills passed by Congress, recommend laws for Congress to pass, and calls for Congress to meet. The president also enforces, or executes, bills passed by Congress. To disputes arising from laws passed by Congress.
Congress approves the Judges appointed by the president, sets Judicial salaries, and has some power over the structure and Jurisdiction of the courts. Congress also has the power to interpret courts’ decisions as legislation. Ere president appoints Judges, puts court decisions into practice, and has the right to pardon those whom the courts have convicted. The courts can declare presidential actions unconstitutional. Bibliography Spark Notes Editors.