Info...
- It was decided to base the American government system on an idea of three separate branches: executive, judicial, and legislative
- Each branch has checks and balances and certain regulations in order to not gain or abuse the absolute power they are given
- The Executive branch is headed by the President and includes the bureaucracy
- The Legislative branch includes both Houses of Congress: The Senate and the House of Representatives
- The Judicial branch includes the Supreme Court and the lower Federal Courts
Fun Facts...
- The term originated from the Baron de Montesquieu, a French enlightenment writer
- The different branches of government in this principle can be traced to Ancient Greece
Real Life Examples...
- Congress passes a law, the president vetos it. Congress passes it again with 3/4 majority over the president. The Supreme Court strikes down the law as unconstitutional.
- The current health care debate. Congress passed legislation that some think is over stepping their powers so the Supreme Court will soon be deciding on whether or not that is constitutional.