Three Branches of Federal Government, Essay Example

Division of governmental power is known as “separation of powers”. This is the division of power into three branches – the executive, legislative, and judicial – making a horizontal division of power, just as federalism is the vertical division. Each branch is delegated certain functions that the other two may not encroach upon.

The Executive Branch includes the president, his staff, and the various administrative agencies that he oversees. Generally, it is the duty of this branch to put the laws of the federal government into effect. The executive branch investigates alleged violations of the law, gathers the evidence necessary to prove that a violation has occurred, and brings violators before the judicial branch for disposition. The president does this through the various federal law enforcement and administrative agencies.

On the federal level, legislative powers are vested in the Congress, including the Senate and the House of Representatives. The function of this branch is to enact laws that may amend or repeal existing legislation to create new legislation. Congressionally created laws are known as statutes. Finally, the judicial branch comprises the various federal courts of the land. The function of this branch is adjudication – resolving disputes in accordance with law. That branch is charged with the administration of justice.

Although the power lies with the people, the Constitution splits power into three separate branches, also known as “separation of powers”. Within the federal government, power is channeled into three different branches – the legislative, the executive, and the judiciary.

The Legislative branch was given the power to make all the laws, the Executive branch was given power to administer the laws, and the Judicial Branch was to provide the forum where citizens could be tried by their peers for violations of the law.

The Executive branch makes almost 90% of all laws today. The majority of laws are made by Executive directives, statutes, regulations, office memorandums, and by Federal Register entries. The Legislative Branch was meant to be an elected body directly responsible to those who elect its members. The Executive Branch has only two elected officers at the federal level…the President and Vice President.