1. Separation of Powers

2. Separation of Powers
“The Constitutional Convention of 1787 is supposed to have created a government of ‘separated powers’. It did nothing of the sort. Rather, it created a government of separated institutions sharing powers.” - Professor Richard Neustadt, 1960

3. Separation of Powers

4. Separate Institutions…Shared Powers
Separate Institutions + Shared Powers = Checks and Balances
The Founding Fathers set up an intricate system whereby each branch of the federal government would check and balance the other two.

5. What powers? Article 1 - Powers of the Legislature
Article 2 - Powers of the Executive
Article 3 - Powers of the Judiciary

6. EXAM FOCUS
Which is the most accurate description of US government; ‘separated powers’ or ‘shared powers’?
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10 Minutes
5 Minutes 10 5 8 4 6 3
15 marks = 15 minutes 4 2 2 1

7. Checks and Balances
Chapter 1, p Checks by the executive on the legislature - Checks by the executive on the judiciary - Checks by the legislature on the executive - Checks by the legislature on the judiciary - Checks by the judiciary on the legislature - Checks by the judiciary on the executive

8. Checks & Balances Checks on… Checks by… The legislature The executive
The judiciary
Amend/delay/reject legislation
Override president’s veto
Power of the purse
Declare war
Ratify treaties (Senate)
Investigation
Impeachment, trial, conviction and removal from office
Impeachment, trial, conviction, removal from office
Propose constitutional amendments
Recommend legislation
Veto legislation
Appointment of judges
Pardon
Judicial Review