The Constitutional priciples of seperation of powers and checks and balances have resulted in frequent power struggles between the legislative and executive branches of government. Discuss the contemporary balance of power between the Congress and the Presidency with respect to both domestic and foreign policy. Do the two branches share power on a relatively equal basis, or are there policy areas in which one branch appears to exert more control.
http://www.constitutioncenter.org/explore/BasicGoverningPrinciples/SeparationofPowersandaSystemofChecksandBalances.shtml
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=&q=congress+and+president
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I think the legislative branch has more control over foreign and domestic policies than the executive branch. I think the legislative branch has more control because the Congress has the authority to rise and support an army and to declare war. I think the Congress also carries out laws but I'm not sure. The President who is the executive branch is Commander in Chief . Am I correct in saying that the legislative branch has more control than the exectuive branch?
Your question asks you to discuss the contemporary balance of power. Although the Constitution states that only Congress can declare war, wars have been fought on the authority of the President, the Commander-in-Chief of the military. When President Bush wanted to invade Iraq, Congress approved going to war if Hussein didn't give up weapons of mass destruction. Although the U.N. inspectors found no such weapons, the President still initiated the war. Because the majority of Congress members are the same party as the President, the Executive Branch has exercised more power in foreign affairs than the Legislative Branch.
I suggest you do some more research on this question. You might want to start with this site.
http://archives.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/10/11/iraq.us/
The question of whether the legislative branch or the executive branch has more control in the contemporary balance of power is complex and can vary depending on the specific policy area.
In terms of domestic policy, both branches play significant roles. The President, as the head of the executive branch, has the power to propose legislation and implement policies. They can use executive orders and regulatory agencies to shape domestic policy. However, the legislative branch, specifically Congress, has the power to make and pass laws. They can introduce bills and have the final say on whether a policy becomes law. Congress also has oversight responsibilities, allowing them to investigate and hold hearings on the implementation of policies by the executive branch.
In this area, it can be argued that the two branches share power relatively equally. While the President has the ability to propose and implement policies, Congress ultimately holds the power to pass or reject legislation and provide oversight.
In terms of foreign policy, there is typically more executive branch control. The President, as the Commander-in-Chief, has significant authority to make and execute foreign policy decisions. For example, they have the power to negotiate treaties and international agreements, appoint ambassadors, and conduct military actions. The executive branch also has the ability to use executive agreements, which do not require Senate approval like treaties do.
Congress, on the other hand, has the power to declare war and control the funding for military operations. However, in recent history, Presidents have taken military actions without a formal declaration of war by Congress, as seen in conflicts like the Gulf War and the War on Terror. This has raised debates and concerns about the balance of power in foreign policy.
In conclusion, while both the legislative and executive branches share power in both domestic and foreign policy, there is often a greater level of executive branch control in foreign policy decisions. It is important to note that the balance of power can shift depending on the specific circumstances and the dynamics between the branches. Further research into specific examples and current events can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the contemporary balance of power between Congress and the Presidency.