Introduction

One great achievement of the American founding was the creation of an effective constitutional structure of political institutions. Two important aspects of the U.S. Constitutionfederalism and the separation of powersrepresent, in part, the framers efforts to divide governmental power. Federalism limits government by creating two sovereign powersthe national government and state governmentsthereby restraining the influence of both. Separation of powers imposes internal limits by dividing government against itself, giving different branches separate functions and forcing them to share power.

What is federalism? Why did the Founders adopt a federal rather than a unitary system? What kinds of federal relationships did the Constitution establish and how? How and why has the federal balance of power changed over time?

How did the Constitution divide power between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government? What are the different roles played by each of these branches in American national government?

Read the rest here:

Chapter 3: Federalism and the Separation of Powers ...