CHECKS AND BALANCES
Madison's system of checks and balances is still used, in a modified form, as the
basic structure of the United States government. Power is divided between the state
and national governments; national authority is limited to those powers explicitly
delegated to it under the Constitution. The states retain all other governmental
powers.

The national government is then divided into three branches. The legislative,
executive and judicial branches are given separate responsibilities, separate powers
and detailed procedures - and then they are required to work together to conduct
government business. The states have generally followed this three branch pattern
as well.

Interestingly, the many democracies established during the past two centuries have
not usually adopted the U.S. system. They have generally chosen a parliamentary
system (like that in Great Britain) where the legislature has more power; in this
system the decisions and actions of government occur more efficiently because there
are fewer checks and balances. But supporters of the U.S. system argue that a slow.
deliberative process that requires the cooperation of many parts is a good way to

protect citizens' rights against intrusion by government.                       ^7

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