Constitutions and Governance

Study Notes

Constitutions outline the fundamental principles by which a state is governed, detailing relationships among the executive, legislature, and judiciary.
They limit power exercise and enumerate citizens' rights and duties.
Codified constitutions typically emerge after revolutions, total defeats, regime collapses, or independence movements.
The UK lacks a codified constitution due to its stable governance history.
The concept of a constitution emerged from ancient Greek philosophy, particularly in Aristotle's works, who defined it as the arrangement of a state's governing offices.

Electoral systems allow the electorate to select their representatives in elections.
Agencies for maintaining the union include departments that manage revenue and security, such as Treasury and Defense.
Regulatory agencies impose disincentives to curb undesirable behaviors, exemplified by the FDA and FTC.
Agencies of Redistribution implement fiscal and welfare policies, influencing money circulation and credit accessibility.

Bureaucracies facilitate the administration of government, executing policies made by decision-makers.
They have essential public functions, especially during national emergencies, yet are often criticized for being inefficient or overly expansive.
Bureaucratic structures improve efficiency by creating a hierarchical division of labor and specialization.
Bureaucrats execute laws, enforce vague regulations, and adjudicate administrative disputes.
Congress frequently delegates power to bureaucracies to ensure actions align with legislative intent.

The legislative branch, consisting of Congress (House of Representatives and Senate), is responsible for law-making.
Bills are proposed laws introduced by Congress members.
Key powers of the legislative branch include borrowing money, regulating commerce, coining money, declaring war, and establishing post offices.
The House has the exclusive power to initiate impeachment proceedings, while the Senate ratifies treaties and confirms presidential appointments.

Federalism is a governance system where two levels of government control the same territory.
Political decentralization enhances citizen involvement in decision-making, supporting democratic practices.
Administrative decentralization reallocates authority and financial resources among government entities for public services.
Fiscal decentralization ensures local governments have adequate revenues and decision-making authority, often through taxes or intergovernmental transfers.

The judicial system encompasses courts and legal professionals responsible for interpreting laws and administering justice.
It plays a significant role in maintaining the rule of law, affecting public safety and national security.
Courts ensure timely and fair trials, essential for preventing impunity and collaborating with police and prison systems.
The criminal justice chain includes the processes of apprehending, charging, judging, and punishing suspects, involving various state security institutions.