Why the American form of Government Works

" by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country, and whose patriotism and love of justice will be least likely to sacrifice it to temporary or partial considerations. Under such a regulation, it may well happen that the public voice, pronounced by the representatives of the people, will be more consonant to the public good than if pronounced by the people themselves, convened for the purpose."


The American form of government works because the political body is elected by the people they govern to represent the common people on the political stage. This type of governing establishes a political voice to every American citizen able to vote. Although the power at the bottom level of republicanism is diminutive, it creates a feeling of political involvement to every politically concerned American. And since voters will be interested in trying to serve the rights of their country or the people as a whole, they will be able to elect representatives who will then emulate their concerns and ideas on the higher levels of politics. Although, a portion of citizens will use a candidates character or personality as a trait, rather than their political views, they still trust in that person to look out for the people they represent. And even if someone elected happens to be two-faced and ends up only working for their self interest rather than the self interest of the people who elected him, they will soon have to be re-elected to keep their power. With this constant check on governors and politicians, there will always be a large number of people who are elected into power and serve the interest of the people that elected them. Therefore, the American system of government works because the people elect officials who will work for the public good.

"In order to lay a due foundation for that separate and distinct exercise of the different powers of government, which to a certain extent is admitted on all hands to be essential to the preservation of liberty, it is evident that each department should have a will of its own; and consequently should be so constituted that the members of each should have as little agency as possible in the appointment of the members of the others."

The American form of government works because the highest power is not concentrated in one person, but instead diffused among three different independent branches of government. The first reason why the American form of government has worked a lot better than other forms of government is a majority of the power is not concentrated in one person. If all the power was concentrated among one person, then America would just be creating another autocracy where the common interest is set aside for the autocrats interest. By splitting up the governments power into different departments self interest is put aside, because these different branches of government must work together to accomplish a task. With these branches of government working independently and of their own will, they won't have to secede to the interests of another branch of government, because these branches are equal in power. And to keep influences from one branch over another minimal, each branch has as little do with the elections of members of other branches. With the creation of independent branches of government, there will not be any power consolidated into a single sovereignty.