Madisonian Model Essay

James Madison realized that the framing of the country had to be devised, in a well thought out plan when the creation of the Constitution was in effect. The very flawed Articles of Confederation, were his jumping off point in creating a plan for government that held principals for a successful government. Madison believed in limiting majority control, separating the powers of different institutions, and constructing a system of checks and balances to set power against power. His model is based on theory that to prevent tyranny by majority most of the government had to be kept beyond their power. He created this model with a series of powers that were interlinked to keep the separation of powers.
Madison's model consists of the majority (voters) with limited electoral influence. Their opinions were heard by the electoral college, state legislatures, and their representatives within the House of Representatives. Those opinions are then carried to the three branches of government, the Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, and the Judicial Branch. The Legislative branch contains the Congress; House of Representatives, and Senate. This branch confirms the president's nominations and controls national budget. Legislative Branch can also pass a law vetoed by the President and impeach the President and judges from the Judicial Branch. The Executive Branch contains the President and the executive office of the president. They have the power to nominate judges and veto congressional legislation. The third branch, the Judicial Branch, contains the supreme court; courts of appeal, and district courts. They can declare presidential acts and laws unconstitutional.
This model set a plan that included Madison's principals in a well laid out, thought out plan. The three branches included separation of powers and limited majority control, while constructing a system of checks and balances. This model is still greatly in effect in the structure of our modern day American Government. The separation of powers is the main reason a democracy runs as it does, no one power has ultimate power in making decisions. Checks and Balances also is major part of a working democracy it allows for the decisions made to be beneficial for the American People ultimately. This basis of government allowed for a democratic republic to become the government and foundation for a growing country. As the country continued to grow immensely this plan remained a solid foundation for which the rest of the nation was based upon.