Fern Gallacher

Checks & Balances (20)

Modern studies

In America the founding fathers believed that no one person/group should ever
have too much power, to prevent this from happening a they created a
constitution, which established a system of checks and balances. The system
was set up to explain what the government can and can’t do. The constitution
breaks down the government into 3 separate levels. Federal: power over things
such as military. State: makes decisions for specific state. Local: basic decisions
made in a county. By dividing power and ensuring accountability, the
constitution safeguards the democratic nature of the united states. This essay
will discuss the checks and balances that the president undergoes to ensure he
does not become too powerful. This includes the power of patronage, power of
commander in chief, power to issue executive orders and elections.

The authority of patronage grants the President the power to personally appoint
cabinet members. These individuals selected are not required to have a political
background, but rather expertise in their respective fields, such as science,
education or the military. This allows the President to strategically appoint
individuals who align with their vision and objectives, facilitating the
implementation of new policies and exerting significant influence across
various branches of the government. For example, President Joe Biden selected
Lloyd Austin to be the secretary of defence in 2020. However, it is important to
acknowledge the potential drawbacks of this power. There is a possibility that a
President may exploit and take advantage of this authority by appointing
unqualified individuals or those with controversial views. For example, the
appointment of Betsy DeVos as head of the Department of Education by
President Trump, despite her lack of qualifications and controversial support for
the privatization of education. Therefore, while patronage can be advantageous,
it is crucial to strike a balance and ensure that appointments are primarily based
on expertise rather than personal beliefs.

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The President, in their role as commander in chief, holds the highest-ranking
position in the US military. This entails the responsibility of safeguarding the
nation and making critical decisions regarding troop deployment and military
strategies, meaning the president now has the responsibility of defending the
United States. A successful example of exercising this authority was in 2011,
President Obama had ordered to eliminate Osama Bin Laden after the terrorist
attack on the twin towers. Additionally, President Joe Biden's air strike on Syria
in February 2021 exemplifies the President's power to protect national security
and respond to threats. However, it is important to emphasise that the authority
to declare war and make international treaties requires approval from Congress
and the Senate. These checks and balances highlight the significance of shared
power among the President, Congress, and the Senate in matters of military
action.

Executive orders allow the President to take swift action in urgent situations or when
immediate change is necessary. For example, President Biden's executive orders to
halt the construction of the border wall and reunite separated families at the US-
Mexico border demonstrate the potential impact of these orders. However, the
Supreme Court serves as a crucial check on the President's power. The Court has the
authority to review executive orders and declare them unconstitutional, thus
potentially leading to their invalidation or modification. This judicial oversight
ensures that the President's exercise of executive power remains within the bounds of
the Constitution. Meaning the effectiveness of executive orders can be limited by the
potential for reversal by future Presidents. For example, President Biden revoking the
travel ban from certain Muslim countries previously implemented by President
Trump, executive orders can be easily undone by subsequent administration.

Elections are a crucial component of the political system as they provide the American
people with the opportunity to select their representatives and leaders. They serve as a
platform for individuals to express their opinions and concerns, thereby influencing
government decisions. The power of the President is indeed limited through the
electoral process. In the middle of a President's four-year term, a "mid-term" election
takes place, allowing the American people to vote for a new President or reelect the
incumbent. Additionally, term limits restrict Presidents to serving a maximum of two

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terms in office. This limitation ensures a rotation of leadership and prevents prolonged
consolidation of power by any single individual. For instance, President Obama
served two terms in office from 2008 to 2016 and is now ineligible for re-election.
When a President completes both terms, they are often referred to as a "lame duck
President," as their time in office becomes limited, potentially reducing their influence
and effectiveness. The loss of influence can lead to "gridlock" when the President's
control over either the House of Representatives or the Senate is diminished. The
House of Representatives is elected every two years, allowing the voice of the people
to be heard and potentially resulting in a shift in party control. This occurred in 2022
when the Republicans won back control of the House of Representatives with 222
seats compared to the Democrats' 213. Overall, elections serve as an effective
mechanism for checks and balances, enabling the American people to express their
opinions on the current President and decide whether to retain them in office or not.