Discussion Post.
Make sure is at least 2-3 paragraph
Professors note: This week's concentration is on past and current government systems. Feudalism is a system where different groups share power, only to allow absolutism or complete and total control by the monarch. Feudalism and absolute rule of monarchies are rare today. However, back when the rule was vested in a monarch, especially in Britain. Even though the monarch (king) ruled absolutely, the British Parliament was established to levy taxes. In exchange for levying (requiring people to pay taxes), the parliament was allowed to give some input into royal decisions. Interestingly, now countries with feudal and absolute monarchies have made efforts to disperse power because these countries learned that the concentration of authority is bad, and the dispersion of authority is good.
As I noted earlier, this is rare today, and mostly only exists on TV. If you watch Game of Thrones, you see an absolute monarchy with Cersei. Although Mother of Dragons is a monarchy, she also has a group to counsel her. Cersei hardens to the days of absolutism and feudalism whereas The Mother of Dragons sets the beginning of shared decision-making.
Since the late 20th Century, most countries have moved from absolutism or Cersei style governing to democracy or Mother of Dragon shared decision-making. As I explained last week, the U.S. Government is separated by branches (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial) and power is dispersed through different levels (national, state, and local). The Founders, coming from the absolutism of King Charles wanted a system of government that reflected their ideas of individual freedom and constituent driven elections. In other words, they didn't want one branch to become too powerful; therefore, they instituted a system of checks and balances. The premise of checks and balances is that each branch has its own power and responsibilities or a separation of powers. Yet, separation of powers is rarely clear-cut and many of the jobs done in the executive branch are also done in the legislative branch. The clearest separation of powers is the presidential system.
The presidential system has a clear leader who is most directly elected by the people. One major problem in the presidential system is the inherent gridlock between the Legislative and Executive Branches. Scholars believe this is just part of the separation of powers. Because the U.S. has a divided government, dispersion of power throughout the levels and branches, foolish policies, and spending are somewhat controlled. The cost of this is the gridlock often discussed by the mass media and politicians. Interestingly, only a dictator can require the legislative and executive branches to get along.
Would you prefer a dictatorship over the gridlock we have in Washington? Explain your answer.
References
Roskin, M. G., Cord, R. L., Medeiros, J. A., & Jones, W. S. (2014). Political science: An introduction (13th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.