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"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”
– Nelson Mandela

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Essay Assignment 1

Essay Assignment 1

Q Directions: Answer the prompt below. The essay must be double spaced, in Times New Roman, and in 12-point font. Your response should be around 3 pages but must consist of a minimum of 700 words. At the top of the paper be sure to include your name and the course (PS1). Include the title at the top center of the paper. Be sure to answer the question fully and clearly. The essay must be submitted by Thursday, July 1. Prompt: The concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances were first introduced in Chapter 2, The Constitution. Examples of how checks and balances in the American federal government work have been mentioned throughout the chapters on the Constitution, the presidency and the federal court system. For this assignment, describe what is “separation of powers” within American government. Then describe the theory behind “checks and balances” as applied in the U.S. Constitution. Afterward, describe by listing examples how these concepts have worked in practice. As you answer the above, consider the following. Does one branch of government have more power than the others? Has the balance of power between the three branches of government changed over time, and if so, has that affected how “checks and balances” work?

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The Doctrine of Separation of Powers and the theory of Checks and Balances Charles-Louis de Secondat is known to have coined the term “separation of powers” for the first time. The political power of the United States is uniformly subdivided into three distinct wings which include the legislative, the executive, and the judicial powers (Holcombe). The effectiveness of such distribution lies in the fact that the authoritative power would not be restricted to one group of people and an independent and liberal system can be established this way.