In the eventual drafting of the US Constitution, there was strong emphasis on limiting the power of the US government. In particular, the framers of the constitution brought up the idea of both Separation of Powers and Checks & Balances. In this essay, discuss how Separation of Powers is utilized in the US Government. Specifically, describe how Checks & Balances complements Separation of Powers, at least in theory. Based on what you have read or heard about in the news, how have these “guard rails” performed in limiting the powers of each branch? Explain.

1/ While students are expected to devote about 500-750 words to each essay question (approximately 2-3 double spaced pages), they should prioritize their answer’s quality and depth over simply coming up with ways to fill up the 500-750 word requirement. A high-quality response that is 500 words will likely be scored higher than a 750-word answer comprised of filler.
2/ This is not an opinion survey. Your answers to the exam questions need to be research-based using fact-based sources. For each of your three essay answers, you must use two sources to back up your work in the answer. One of those may be your textbook. That means for your response to your first exam question; you must have two sources at a minimum included in your answer. The same goes for answer two and answer three. These sources must be cited in the answer, and you must have a reference list for each one (see previous examples in the announcements).
3/ All of the information for your post or reply that is not an original thought, you must provide a citation for the use of that information and a reference list at the end of your response.

Questions 1 : In the eventual drafting of the US Constitution, there was strong emphasis on limiting the power of the US government. In particular, the framers of the constitution brought up the idea of both Separation of Powers and Checks & Balances. In this essay, discuss how Separation of Powers is utilized in the US Government. Specifically, describe how Checks & Balances complements Separation of Powers, at least in theory. Based on what you have read or heard about in the news, how have these “guard rails” performed in limiting the powers of each branch? Explain.

Questions 2: Briefly describe what a typical day for you has been recently. In your answer, be sure to enable the reader to gain a clear picture of what this day is like. Would you prefer to have more freedom available to you during your typical day at the expense of less security? Or conversely, would you prefer to be more safe and secure at the expense of less freedoms? Explain and in doing so, be sure to express the conflict that may persist between the government’s role to provide order versus the power to provide liberty.
Questions 3: In class, we discussed how the US Constitution, like many other country’s constitutions, should be viewed as a product of its founding history and the lessons its framers had learned. Do you believe that US history as written in many history and government textbooks (including the one assigned for this class) adequately portrays what actually happened in US history? Explain and in doing so, discuss other events have taken place in the past that you believe, would paint a fuller picture in how the US Constitution was founded.

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