Federalism, Separation Of Powers, Checks And Balances

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 brought together delegates from thirteen divergent states to amend the Articles of Confederation. But James Madison, delegate from Virginia, had other ideas. He set the agenda for the Convention by drafting the Virginia Plan, an entirely new structure for the government. The strengths offered by the Virginia Plan included the framework for a strong, central government which separated powers into three branches: the legislative, executive, and the judicial. In addition, the Virginia Plan had built-in checks and balances between the branches. Madison believed that sovereignty rested with the people, and he proposed proportional representation in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. However,

After the colonies gained independence from England on July 4, 1776, they acknowledged the need for a new form of government. Their current government (the Articles of Confederation) was defective and needed emendation. For instance, Congress had the legal right to declare war and perform on foreign policy, but don’t have the right to demand revenues from the states. This was, in fact, an issue that needed to be solved because it endangers the existence of the country. For example, since Congress lacked the power to raise military funds, it could not provide sufficient support for the armed forces. Congress was forced to demobilize the Army after the revolutionary war. It would have been very terrible for the newly formed country (The United States) if the British or the Spanish had attacked (page, 39). Another weakness of the Article was demonstrated by the Shays Rebellion. It illustrated how the central government could not protect the citizens from armed Rebellion. The colonists called for a constitutional convention to discuss how to correct their flaws. The Virginia plan was introduced, which advocated that representation should be based on population. It basically called for a legislative branch with one house that also has the authority to regulate trade and taxation. It called for a separation of powers, leaving three branches in charge: the legislative, the executive, and the Judicial branches. The Virginia plan would allow big States to control the presidency which

The Articles outlined each power the three different branches of government had as well as the state's powers and the process of amending the Constitution. Articles VI and VII establishes the Constitution as the law of the land and describes the requirements needed to ratify the new Constitution. The first ten amendments in the Bill of Rights and the Bill of Rights itself was put in place to protect the individual rights of the people. The Bill of Rights was made to be able to adapt with the nation at time went by and society

Federalism is a way of organizing a nation so that two or more levels of government have formal authority over the same area and people, ensuring that one does not become too powerful and aids in the separation of powers. Liberty is a state of freedom within a society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one 's way of life, behavior, or political views. Although these two political science terms are different, they correlate and interact with one another in the American Government and are still relevant to contemporary policy issues faced today. James Madison 's The Federalist No. 47 doctrine exemplifies this: "In order to form correct ideas on this important subject, it will be proper to investigate the sense in which the preservation of liberty requires that the three great departments of power should be separate and distinct."

The Virginia Plan is a document created by James Madison, presented on May 8, 1787, to the Constitutional Convention by Edmund Randolph (Munson). It entailed a proposal for a bicameral legislature, a plan to separate the legislative branch into two chambers, “the National Legislature ought to consist of two branches” (Madison). The Virginia Plan also suggested that the powers of the government be separated into branches, executive, legislative, and judicial. The significance of the Virginia plan was its call for a proportional representation of the states, which would result in a strong national government. This planned upstaged the smaller states, such as New Jersey, since they feared that the states would no longer have a voice in their society, creating the New Jersey Plan.

“We the People...” Words that all Americans should recognize being in the United States Constitution; As supreme as it may portray out to be yet it comes with many imperfections that unsettles the states and greatly affected African Americans, leading future decisions to more disagreements throughout the course of history. The United States were beginning to form itself up since the Constitution was created, it granted the people the power to rule themselves without the federal government getting too involved in State affairs; The Constitution was indeed foundational for the United States so it could continue on forth, especially with the formation of political parties forming up their views. There are the main issues that unfold involving the all these matters, it shows itself with how human rights lacked for African Americans during this time, the complications between the Federalists and Anti-federalists, separation of powers and the States lacking power compared to the Federal government. Whether or not the situations were impossible; things could have been better for everyone, after all the people should have the power.

The issues involving the Virginia plan gave too much power to the national government have been a popular topic amongst scholars for many years. The Virginia plan was a proposal by Virginia delegates for a bicameral legislative branch. The plan was drafted by James Madison while he waited for a quorum to assemble at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. There are many factors which influenced the development of the Virginia plan that gave too much power to the national government. The Virginia plan gave too much power to the national government by all the plans James Madison formed to create a new form of government plan which are the Executive Branch, Judicial Branch, and Legislative Branch. I plan

Federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances and the bill of rights are the four main elements that the constitution is made up of. All four of these elements are what made the constitution strong, lasting over two hundred years. Three separate branches were created that had their own specific powers. The government was then given the power to tax and enforce its laws. The structure of how this one document has governed is what makes the constitution unique. The U.S. constitution established Americas national government and fundamental laws. The constitution guaranteed certain basic rights for the citizens that were unheard of at the time. The constitution established the structure of the federal system and distribution of power between state governments. Citizens that live within the borders of the united states had their own protection of rights. Although the constitution can be flawed in some ways, the document is what had created a great nation; however, the constitution created Americas national government and laws, guaranteed rights for the citizens and continues to represent those living today which makes the constitution unique.

There are both similarities and differences, when referring to checks and balances and separation of powers. Both have to do with the Government. But separation of powers is a model of government in which different parts of the government are in charge of different tasks; in the United States, these parts are known as the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. Checks and balances is a means of trying to ensure that these three parts of government stay equal, and that one does not try to take over another.

The Constitution was designed to enforce the regulation of power between the three branches of government. Though there were many clauses stating the powers of the branches of government, it was often unclear of the original intent they were meant to serve. One of these blurred clauses is stated in Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 of the constitution.

Since the very beginnings of America, there has been debate as to the size and power of the constitution and the idea of Federalism. This debate is very much present in our modern day world and it presents challenges of its own. Some of these said challenges in the American federalist society include the breakdowns in communication, the extents, and limits of government vs state power and the shared powers of said parties.

Why is it so difficult to accomplish anything in American government? The answer lies within three features of American government: the Hyperpluralist theory, separation of powers with checks and balances, and divided government. All these aspects of government result in gridlock, “a condition that occurs when interests conflict and no coalition is strong enough to form a majority and establish policy, so nothing gets done” (19).

Articles I, II, and III of the Constitution respectively vest the legislative, executive, and judicial powers each in a separate department of the federal government, this is how they work and the powers they have. Article I of the Constitution establishes the powers of Congress and the specific areas in which it may cover. Congress job is to come up with a yearly budget for the government, giving the power for funding to government services, ratification of trade agreements, confirmation of the vice president, new laws or changes already existing laws, and the sole power to declare war. Article II outlines the executive branch, which has the power to either to sign legislation into law or to veto bills enacted by Congress, diplomacy with

In a country as vast and advanced as the United States, several branches of government are need to govern all people. In times of emergency, our government shows how capable they really are in maintaining the U.S. as we know it. Federalism and checks and balances often benefit each other in cases of catastrophe because they work together to provide aid and preserve the common good, as this is usually the top concern. The government doesn't really keep a strong balance between the common good, protecting citizens, and maintaining a free society because the top priority is keep the death toll low/evacuating citizens.