Essay:  The Separation of Powers

Between the Legislative and Executive Branch

Introduction: Identify some of the problems of the separation of powers between the legislative and executive branch and identify some of the ways the separation of powers has been maintained.

Role of Congress:  What is its constitutional role as proposed by the framers and what has the role evolved into in the current time period?

Role President: What is its constitutional role as proposed by the framers and what has the role evolved into in the current time period?

Power of the Modern President: is it Good or Bad? (Compare to the period of time when Legislative Branch dominated in the gilded age)

Conclusion:  The natural conflict between the executive and legislative branch (and within the legislative branch itself) creates deliberateness in the decision making process.  Comment on this: is it a positive or a negative, to what extent is it what the framers intended, is there ways to speed up the process without marginalizing minority views?

 

Issues to Consider:

Veto Power

Power of Committees

Impoundment of Funds

War Powers of President

Impeachment Power

Constituency