Separation of Powers: More is Less

(This will be the first of posts that contain review concepts and questions for the AP American Government and Comparative Exams. This is the first posted by CBS2School.com)

The separation of powers is the theoretical and institutional footing of the American form of government. It was devised as a safeguard against tyranny through the strict division and distribution of governing responsibilities. Our Founding Fathers saw the separation of powers as a defense against the natural propensity to abuse power by diluting, checking and balancing the legitimate duties of government. The separation of powers limits government.

VIDEO: Understanding The Separation Of Powers

James Madison put it best in Federalist 47, “The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, selfappointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.”

Thomas Paine wrote that in our beginning, we had the chance to “start the world over.” At our founding, the political discourse was animated by great thinking. Thoughts were stirred by great writing. America’s theoretical framework was not determined by a public opinion poll. Rather, our ramparts are rooted in a philosophical discourse which history has conducted over many thousands of years. “We the people” of these United States have ratified a system of government which at best is still an experiment. We have amalgamated from the best minds, their best plans and their best guesses toward that which best safeguards our inalienable rights. Our foremost enemy is an oppressive abuse of power. Its most frequented foe, tyranny. The great thinkers agreed that in order to preserve liberty the duties of government had to be divided. The power of the purse (legislative branch) and the power of the sword (executive branch) could not be in the same hands. In this separation of powers we find our most cherished principle. Unless we buy in, the architects of our civilization were builders of temporary housing.

Today’s Question:
(1) Checks and balances is at the heart of our Constitution. Which of the following is an example:

(a) The Supreme Court’s use of original jurisdiction.
(b) Licensing differences between states.
(c) Congress writing laws to regulate the economy.
(d) Congress’ power to override a Presidential veto.
(e) Using the Electoral College to choose our President.

What other questions do you have about American foundations? Do you think that it is important for students of politics to understand our beginnings?