Federalism Vs Separation Of Power

What do you think of when you hear the word “liberty?” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary gives us their definition of liberty as, “the state or condition of people who are able to act and speak freely.” Now that you know what liberty is you may ask yourself, do we hold a right to liberty? Yes, as Americans we have a right to act and speak about whatever we choose as long as it is not harmful to other citizens. Our Constitution holds four principles that James Madison and the Federalists have shared with us, republicanism, federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances, but do these systems hold the right to liberty? Republicanism is our American right to choose a political party we support and one which stands strong to their word.

The legislature, executive, and judicial branch although alter the power of another branch without overriding one another’s responsibilities. The main role of the legislature branch is the making of laws, Congress who is divided into two houses, the Senate and House of Representatives create the law in the capitol building and then carry it on to the executive branch. The executive branch then reaches The White House where it passes by the president, vice president, and cabinet and they decide whether to approve or veto the law. Finally, the judicial branch which lands at supreme court and is determined by the supreme court justices if the law is to be passed. The separation of powers is big on ambition, it gives the legislature, executive, and judicial branch each the means to protect their own powers. The separation of powers holds two defenses to their name, liberty and good government.

One of the most distinctive features of the Constitution is the system of checks and balances. The principle of the system of checks and balances is to block any abuse of power from another branch. Although the system of checks and balances didn’t work the way it was determined to one thing remains and that is, that it holds beneficial tension and conflict between the three branches of government. The counterbalancing of the system of checks

Republicanism gives us a right to choose a political party in which we favor and hold great trust in. Federalism holds the right to a governmental structure that ensures liberty. Separation of powers gives us the right to hold each power of the three branches to their individual, own branch. Lastly, the system of checks and balances holds the right to block out any abuse that is thrown at any one branch from another. James Madison shares in this quote his outlook on rights, “As a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be equally said to have a property in his rights.” Each of these systems holds their own right, their own liberty, and their own judgement to act and speak