How does the U.S. Constitution distributes and limits powers within
the federal government.
That is what the whole document is about but in brief; executive (president), legislative (congress) and judicial (court)
Read about it:
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=&oq=separationn+of+powers&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4VRHB_enUS648US649&q=separation+of+powers+doctrine+&gs_l=hp..4.0i22i30l5.0.0.1.4307309...........0.9nRp6pPBdCQ
http://home.ubalt.edu/shapiro/rights_course/Chapter1text.htm
The U.S. Constitution is designed to distribute and limit powers within the federal government in order to prevent any one branch or individual from becoming too powerful. There are several key provisions in the Constitution that accomplish this:
1. Separation of Powers: The Constitution divides the government into three separate branches - the executive (headed by the President), the legislative (consisting of Congress), and the judicial (comprised of the Supreme Court and other federal courts). Each branch has its own distinct powers and responsibilities.
2. Checks and Balances: The Constitution establishes a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one branch becomes too dominant. Each branch is given certain powers that allow it to check the actions of the other branches. For example, the President can veto legislation passed by Congress, but Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote.
3. Enumerated Powers: The Constitution grants specific powers to the federal government, known as enumerated powers. These powers are listed in Article I, Section 8, and include things like the power to levy taxes, regulate commerce, and declare war. By specifically delineating the powers of the federal government, the Constitution limits its authority.
4. Reserved Powers: Conversely, the Constitution also reserves certain powers to the states or to the people. These powers, known as reserved powers, are not granted to the federal government and are instead left to the states or the people to decide. This further limits the scope of federal power.
5. Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments to the Constitution, collectively known as the Bill of Rights, place further limits on the power of the federal government. These amendments outline certain rights and freedoms that are protected, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the right to a fair trial. By guaranteeing these rights, the Constitution ensures that the federal government cannot infringe upon them.
To understand the distribution and limitation of powers within the federal government, it is essential to study the text of the U.S. Constitution. Familiarizing oneself with the provisions mentioned above and the broader principles they embody will provide a comprehensive understanding of how power is balanced and controlled within the American system of government.