Unit 1 - Topic 9 Objectives:
Explain how the distribution of powers among three federal branches and between national and
state governments impacts policy making.
The distribution of powers among the three federal branches affects policy making by
accentuating the time frame it would take to make laws and get things done. This is
because each of the branches have “checks and balances' ' These checks and balances
ensure that each branch has a specific power and to make sure that no branch gets too
powerful. The checks and balances also give different perspectives when making new
laws or when it comes to making decisions that would impact the country. For example,
the legislative branch, specifically Congress, has the power to make laws. Those laws
then go to the executive branch where the president has the ability to veto any laws that
he doesn’t like. Those vetoes then go back to the legislative branch. Then, if 2⁄3 of both
the House of Representatives and Senate disagree with the veto, it gets overridden.
There are checks and balances in almost every aspect of governing the country. The
distribution of power between the national and state governments also impacts policy
making. That is because each one of them has a specific role. The national government
has very specific responsibilities stated in the Constitution. This includes regulating
foreign commerce and trades, declaring war, and providing a national army. The
Constitution also states that the state governments have all powers that the federal
government doesn’t, especially if it has to do with specific states. This includes trading
with other states, establishing local governments, and holding elections. The state
governments can also legalize things that the federal government has outlawed, as a test
law to see if it would benefit the federal government if it were legalized.