Keoni Buenavista
Date: 5/10/2022
Prompt: Would you consider the United States government to be the best in the world? Why do you believe that? If not, what other government(s) have a better system? State and give reasoning behind your answer.
Given the comparison of how the United States government operates to other countries in the world, I would say that the U.S. government is the best in the world. I believe that this U.S. with its form of government is superior to other governments because of its structure and the idea of checks and balances that help to protect the rights of those citizens that live in the country. Simply put, the United States is unique and many consider it to be the best in terms of freedom, happiness, and stability. Other forms of government just do not give their citizens the same amount of types of freedoms and protections that U.S. citizens have like the right to free speech, the right to a fair trial, the right to keep and bear arms, etc.
Beginning with the different sectors that make up the entire government in the United States, it has 3 different branches which are: the Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, and the Judicial Branch. All of the branches contained in this government are a representation of the idea of checks and balances where each branch checks and balances the power of each other, so no one branch gains too much political power. The executive branch and power (which resides with the US president) are responsible for the armed forces, the power to veto or approve bills into law, conducting foreign relations, and the power of diplomatic recognition. Aside from this, the executive branch does not hold any more significant powers like the making of laws or interpreting laws. These significant responsibilities are reserved only for the Judicial and Legislative Branches, which again helps to ensure the rights and protections of the people, and not allow the government to gain too much power.
The legislative branch, has the role of making laws that revolve around the U.S. Constitution. Congress or also known as the executive branch contains two bodies which are the House of Representatives and the Senate. Adding to the power related to making laws, Congress also has the power to tax citizens, spend federal money on behalf of the United States, print currency, and impeach both judicial and executive officials. Regarding the judicial branch, it has the responsibility of interpreting laws made by congress in cases that those laws affect.
In looking at other forms of government, none of them have the type of check and balance system as the US government. Also, the economic system that the US has in place has shown to be much stronger and more beneficial to the people when compared to other countries. The U.S. has a combined system of economy that takes principles from free market and command economies. Together this allows for citizens to have freedom in business and economic opportunity but they will also be protected under command economic principles (where the government has some control).
In terms of state governments, the federal government cannot overstep, and may only exercise the powers that they are given through the United States Constitution. Things that are not mentioned in the document are to be handled directly by state and local governments, which is why each state has different laws, regulations, and political ideals. The system of government that the United States has in place, supports diversity, and again in many instances allows for freedoms that are not guaranteed in other forms of government; thereby showing that it is the best government in the world.