Political philosophers since ancient times have written that governments must do three things: make, execute, and judge laws. Unlike the British system, which concentrates power in Parliament, the U.S.Constitution assigns these competing and complementary functions to three separate branches of the national government. This lesson explains how the Framers envisioned the role of each branch.
When you have finished this lesson, you should be able to explain the role of each of the three branches and describe how the Constitution organizes them. You also should be able to explain how and why the system of checks and balances contributes to limited government. Finally, you should be able to evaluate, take, and defend positions on how the president of the United States should be elected and issues relating to the appointment and service of justices of the Supreme Court.
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