How did the constitution guard against tyranny
Tyranny refers to the utilization of mean and oppressive type of leadership to dominate a country with unlimited power. As a country that experienced the use of tyranny by the colonizers, the U.S. founding fathers, in 1787, formulated and created the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia that would safeguard the country against it. It outlined Federalism, power separation, checks and balances and representation of all states to help protect against tyranny.
Firstly, the Constitution pickets against tyranny through federalism. Federalism is defined as the parting of power to two ruling governments namely, the central and state governments. The divided power allows both governments to carry out mandate independently. The national government carries out roles such as national defense, foreign relations on behalf of the nation, promoting business and imposing taxation. On the other hand, the state government creates local governments, pass state-regulated laws, start schools, and impose taxes. Since each jurisdiction has different influences, it prevents tyranny through ensuring none of the institutions carries the overall power over the entire nation; therefore, they have to work together to benefit the nation.
Secondly, tyranny is prevented by the Constitution through power separation by different government bodies. The constitution did so by creating various branches of government namely the executive, the judiciary consisting of Supreme Court and the lower courts and the legislature comprising of the Senate and House of Representatives. Each branch’s mandate has a different objective, rules, and methods of conducting their work, which contributes to the overall running of the country. With the branches, each wants and desires from the government are met independently and conclusively. The branches consequently, avert tyranny through preventing any single branch from controlling the government on its own.
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Thirdly, tyranny is averted by instituting checks and balances. Government bodies’ organization is done by ensuring they keep themselves honest and check their operations. Checking and balancing are achieved by exercising one’s authorities to keep others regulated and factual to the law. For instance, the judiciary ensures both the presidency and legislature do not impose regulations that might interfere with the privileges of the people by determining, upholding or revoking their decisions. Vice versa, the two branches do the same to the judiciary and one another. Consequently, the regime balances all the time and ensures no singular entity exercises executive control over the nation.
Fourthly, prevention of tyranny occurs through the representation of all states in the country. Whether the state is small or large, the Constitution has instituted for a mandatory one representative per state and additional representative members depending on the size coverage of a state. Additionally, in the Senate, each senator represents a single vote. These constitutional provisions facilitate the equal representation of all citizens’ needs, expectations, and opinion in government, contributing to its governing. Consequently, tyranny cannot occur, as no single state is stronger than others hence, fairness is achieved.
Undoubtedly, the founders utilized their vast wisdom to develop a document with protection measures outlined on behalf of the country from the various varieties of tyranny. The United States Constitution divided power between the central and federal governments, separated power among the ruling branches of government, introduced checks and balances for the said branches and finally facilitated for equal representation of all states. It is, therefore, truthful that the Constitution has efficiently defended against tyranny.
