The American Government - Research Paper Example

The American Government The American government is the originator of the separation of powers. United States enjoys a strong democracy. Her president is as a product of a thorough democratic process. Article 2 of U.S constitution clearly defines and at the same time limits the powers president. To begin with, the president has executive powers (Kelly and Kelly, 2007). Second, the president is the head of legislature. Third, the president has the judicial powers as the commander in chief of armed forces among other powers. These powers come with many responsibilities because power is with the American people. This means that the president has to do intensive consultation and negotiations within these three arms, which make the American government before passing anything touching matters of public welfare (Krent, 2005). Co-operation is a highly valued virtue for harmonious formulation of policies. The executive powers enable the president to appoint members of his cabinet, ambassadors, lower federal courts’ Justices and even Judges of the Supreme Court. Executive powers enable the president to make treaties with, in advice, and with consent of two-thirds of the senate, treaties with other countries. The legislative powers allow the president to approve or disapprove bills, introduced by the senate. After been signed, the bills become effective. Supreme Court has the sole responsibility to reject the signed law after declaring it unconstitutional. Sometimes, the president may give his/her opinion of the constitutionality of the law. Annually, the US president gives legislative agenda for the following year to the congress. In this agenda, the president brings into attention of the congress, the plans for whole nation. In this address, the president persuades sponsoring of the bills to enable their passage (Murrin et. al. 2011). Likewise, vice president also lobbies representatives to amass support for the legislation. According to Krent (2005), in the judicial arm of the government, the president is the commander of armed forces and navy. In this role, president can pardon for offences committed against United States. Cases of impeachment are exceptional. To do this the president seeks opinion from principal officer. President appoints highest-rank military commanders. He exercises control in this section by giving advice and discharging officers. The president directs orders to the armed forces to take action in times of foreign aggression. The US president through the constitutional powers contributes significantly in the public- policymaking process. For instance, in the foreign policy, up on proper advice by the senate, he negotiates treaties with other foreign countries. However, these treaties become effective after ratification by two-thirds of the senate (Murrin et. al. 2011). This means that the president can initiate or shape foreign policy. Congress can support the president or seek further consultation or a change of the policy through legislation. This may be in attempt to change the policy or reconstitute it to address the needs of American people. The U.S president contributes in great deal on policy statements. Through joint and unilateral statements issued with other governments, the president establishes foreign policies. These joint statements-policies with foreign nations are not legally binding agreements though they commit president to take necessary action. In the domestic policy, president participates in the budgetary policies. He recommends on fiscal policies and there fore is directly involved in taxation and spending. President decides on wise spending of public funds. The president ensures law execution in accordance with the constitution. It was not until 1789 when the powers of the president where created by the ratification of the constitution. Federal government of United States become in force in this year. George Washington became the president through allegiance of oath after congress convened. At this time the thirteen, the independent state unified and become the United States. This formed the first U.S government under leadership of George Washington. The constitution brought unity, justice, security, and general welfare to American people. The preamble of the constitution stressed that power was vested on the people of United States (Bardes, et. al. 2011). Kelly and Kelly (2007) depict that the failure of Articles of Confederation and past injustices strongly led to union. Terms in the preamble of the constitution brought controversy. Words such as general welfare were subject of debate by many. James Madison and Thomas Jefferson differed with Alexander Hamilton over the real implication of general welfare. Hamilton argued that there would be no order in government since everything would go for a general welfare cause. However, in the late 20th century the differences had been resolved and federal government become deeply involved in the economic affairs of the state. With the knowledge that governments can amass more powers than they deserve, the framers of constitution distributed powers among three arms of government. These are the legislative branch, executive branch, and the judiciary. This was genesis of the separation of powers, which is a direct contrast to the most of other governments such as Britain. The separation of powers in the constitution was a contrast to the government under the Articles of Confederation. There was neither an executive branch nor court system under the Articles of Government. In the ratified constitution, the congress become lawmakers and president enforce them. Supreme Court came into become the highest office in the judicial sector. The three arms of government ensured proper smooth running through checks and balances (Bardes, et. al. 2011). In conclusion, the constitution distributes its powers among the states and people of America. Amendments such as tenth reserves powers to the people. Therefore, the American government is well- organized from lowest level in the villages to the city. Taxing bodies like school districts, have enjoys enough powers and do there operation smoothly. References Bardes, A. B. et. al. (2011). American Government and Politics Today: The Essentials. New York: Cengage Learning. Kelly, M. and Kelly, M. (2007). Everything American Presidents Book: All You Need to Know About the Leaders Who Shaped U.S. History. Massachusetts: Everything Books. Krent, J. H. (2005). Presidential powers. NY: NYU Press. Murrin, M. J. et. al. (2011). Liberty, Equality, Power: A History of the American People: Since 1863. Nerw York: Cengage Learning. Read More