Question

Describe the concepts of federalism and checks and balances, and provide one example to illustrate each.

Answer 1

Federalism is the system of the government that distributes power geographically rather than concentrating all the powers with the central government. The power is distributed to each regional government and thus both the national government and the regional government possess large measure of sovereignty. Even though all the 50 states in the Unites states have its own constitution, they have to comply with the US constitutions amendments. However, certain powers are given exclusively to the state government or national government and in some cases both hold the power. Some powers that are exclusive to the national government include right to declare war, print money, control army and navy and some powers that are exclusive to the state government include conducting elections, issuing driver’s license. Powers shared by both the state and national government include building highways, spending money on the welfare of citizens.

The power of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government to block some acts by the other two branches that is the veto, declaring a law unconstitutional, or impeaching a president. It allows the three branches of the government to limit the powers of each other.

The judicial branch is responsible for maintaining the court system. The Supreme Court is the head of the judicial system. The judicial branch explains the meaning of the laws passed by the congress through court cases.

The legislative branch is responsible in making laws. The legislative branch is comprised of two houses of the congress namely the Senate and House of Representatives

The president is the head of the executive branch and approves the laws passed by the legislative branch. The president is elected by the citizens of the country and serves a 4 year term.

Example of checks and balance

The legislative branch and the judicial branch can declare the actions made by the president as unconstitutional through a process called judicial review

The legislative branch can impeach members of the judicial and executive branch

Checks and balances is a process wherein the different branches can check the actions of other branches through its powers. Thus it limits the powers from different branches