What features of the Constitution make it difficult for government to do or achieve
anything? Why were they included?
*That is the question, but I am completely lost on how to answer it.
I don't agree with the question. Your teacher may be looking for any of these features:
* three branches of government
* system of checks and balances
* vague wording in some parts, like -- powers not specified for the national government may be utilized by state governments
Check your text for other possibilities.
To answer this question, let's break it down into two parts:
1. What features of the Constitution make it difficult for the government to do or achieve anything?
2. Why were these features included in the Constitution?
1. The features of the Constitution that make it difficult for the government to do or achieve anything are primarily the system of separation of powers and checks and balances.
a) Separation of Powers: The Constitution divides the powers of the federal government among three separate branches: the executive branch (headed by the President), the legislative branch (consisting of Congress), and the judicial branch (led by the Supreme Court). Each branch has distinct powers and responsibilities, which act as a check on the others. As a result, no single branch can dominate or concentrate power, making it difficult for the government to accomplish anything without the cooperation and agreement of all branches.
b) Checks and Balances: The Constitution includes a system of checks and balances that ensures that each branch has the ability to limit the power 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 in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. This balance of power helps prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful and ensures that decisions are thoroughly considered and debated.
2. These features were included in the Constitution for several reasons:
a) Protecting against tyranny: The Founding Fathers had just fought a revolution against a tyrannical monarchy, so they were wary of creating a government that could become oppressive. The separation of powers and checks and balances were designed to prevent any single branch from becoming too powerful and to ensure that there were mechanisms in place to restrain potential abuses of power.
b) Encouraging compromise and consensus: By requiring cooperation and collaboration between branches, the Constitution promotes compromise and consensus-building. This is intended to ensure that decisions reflect a broader agreement rather than being dictated by a single party or individual.
c) Ensuring accountability and transparency: The Constitution's structure and mechanisms also promote accountability and transparency, as each branch has to justify and explain its actions to the other branches. This helps prevent corruption, misuse of power, or secret decision-making.
Overall, the features of separation of powers and checks and balances in the Constitution were intentionally included to create a system of government that is both effective and protective of individual rights and freedoms. While these features can sometimes make the government slower or more difficult to act, they provide important safeguards against abuses of power and ensure democratic principles are upheld.