Checks and Balances

1)Discuss the theory of "checks and balances" as outlined by the framers of the Constitution in your assigned text. Analyze the concept of power in politics and why the Federalists were correct in diffusing the power of government in order to keep one branch or entity from becoming too powerful. How does this concept help us as a viable democracy?

When the Framers of the constitution were in the process of creating a government, they had in mind a government that was ruled by the people. Where everyone had a voice and could have say in what the government was doing. In order to avoid a monarchy such as the one they had been used to under British rule, the framers came up with a system of checks and balances. Checks and balances keeps one branch of government from having too much power over other branches of government. The framers idea when creating the checks and balances system was to keep a balance between the different branches of government. They didn't want the president to have too much power , so the legislative branch looks over the executive branch and has some say in that actions of the executive branch.

Times are definitely different than they were when the framers created the constitution, but their idea of not letting too much power get in the hands of one person, is definitely coming in hand with present day events. With the war not showing any signs of ending anytime soon, many Americans are thankful that "checks and balances" system is in place. The current war is a good example of the checks and balances system. Many have started to look in President Bush's policies and have started to wonder whether he has abused his power, by continuing with a dead end war. Although many are against it, the war continues. This understandably creates a reaction amongst the people who believe they aren't being listened to. Congress is there to check up on the president's actions toward the war, they both work together in policies concerning the war and other government related issues.

The executive and legislative branches work together in checking each others power, yet there is a another part of the government that helps it work as a whole. The Judicial branch is involved with the laws that congress passes. The judicial branch is the one looking over what congress does. The concept of having each branch look over one another, helps as a democracy in that there will never be one person in total control over everything. The president is elected by the people and that's how the government would like for it to stay. Regressing to a monarchy or falling into dictatorship is why "checks and balances" was incorporated into the constitution by the framers. They had a vision of a free America ruled by the people for the people, something that has lived on into today.

3) Review in detail the basic Civil Liberties outlined in the "Bill of Rights". Explain how these rights have evolved and changed over the past 200 years. Take