Overview
The purpose of this assignment is for students to demonstrate an understanding of the Separation of Powers between the three branches of the United States federal government, as well as the system of Checks and Balances the three branches use to ensure the branches remain coequal.
Task
Write a 1250-1500 word essay in which you choose a current event or policy issue from within the past five (5) years and analyze the overall effectiveness of the concept of the Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances in resolving or attempting to resolve this issue. To do this, you will need to:
• Summarize a current event or policy issue from within the past five (5) years that deals with at least two branches of the United States federal government.
Explain the concepts of the Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances between the three branches of the United States federal government.
• Explain how the Separation of Powers can be seen in the current
event or policy issue that you’ve chosen. What specific powers of
Checks and Balances were used between the branches regarding
this issue?
• Analyze how effectively the concept of the Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances functioned in resolving or attempting to resolve your chosen current event or policy issue.
You should include evidence and references from the Constitution of the United States, as well as at least one article related to your chosen current event or policy issue. The course textbook may also be used. Optionally, students may find The Federalist Paper #51 helpful as it discusses Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances.