The United States Constitution establishes separate branches of the federal government, each with the ability to curb the power of the other branches. This system of checks and balances has prevented and corrected excesses of power but also led to instances of gridlock in the federal government. Develop an argument that explains whether the system of checks and balances has hindered or benefited the national policy making process. In your essay, you must: Articulate a defensible claim or thesis that responds to the prompt and establishes a line of reasoning Support your claim or thesis with at least TWO pieces of accurate and relevant information: At least ONE piece of evidence must be from the U. S. Constitution (including amendments) At least ONE piece of evidence must be from Federalist No. 51 Use reasoning to explain why your evidence supports your claim/thesis Respond to an opposing or alternative perspective using refutation, concession, or rebuttal

The United States system of checks and balances, has been proven time and time again to have benefited our country. This system prevents certain federal institutions from having too much power, thus making America the beakon of freedom, and for the past 200 years the example of what a government should be. It has greatly helped the policy-making process, by making sure that certain laws are not passed, per se a simple majority blocking it, but higher ups having that higher up power. Checks and balances are the bedrock to a solid long-lasting democracy. In some governments, especially back when these arguements were first being made, one leader or group of leaders could block any decision. By making this system it preserves American democracy to where it would not fall to an overthrow or revolution.  In Federalist No. 51, Alexander Hamilton writes; "In order to lay a due foundation for that separate and distinct exercise of the different powers of government, which to a certain extent is admitted on all hands to be essential to the preservation of liberty". If it were not for these checks and balances America would, in a snap, instantly be a dictatorship. Checks and balances were also the sidekick to what the constitution conveys. Even among the first paragraph of the contitution, they state, "establish  Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the  general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity". Posterity could only be achieved if certain things were in place, tranquility could only be achieved if certain things were in place. Among those "certain things" was checks and balances. Without these, the government could be overthrown by dictatorship, or overrun with people doing things to simply serve their own agenda, or to simply state themselves the winner (sound familiar?). Thanks to these it has prevented obstruction to our democracy, thus making checks and balances one of the most beneficial things in place in our country.

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