Various Notions of Institutions - Essay Example

s of American Government A good definition of s comes from a journal of economic issues. In 2006, Geoffrey M. Hodgson surveyedand assessed the various notions of “institutions” in several disciplines and concluded that the key elements in the myriad of definitions cover structure, rules, transmission, conventions, and organization. Thus, the term “institution of American government” really embraces several facets of governance in America. Thus, this description of the elements that constitute the “institutions of American government” would have to highlight or stress the most significant of the facets of American politics. In other words, this description will have to highlight on what appears to be the most significant features of American governance. To begin with, it is common knowledge that the three fundamental branches of American government are the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The basic structure of the United States government is available in Figure 1: Figure1. Basic Structure of the US Government Source: http://www.theusgov.com/ We focus on the executive and legislative branches of the government of the United States. Section 1 Article II of the US Constitution vested executive power in the President of the United States of America. The US President holds office for four years and is assisted by a Vice-President. Under Section 2 Article II of the US Constitution grants the following powers to the United States President: 1. To be the Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States as well as the militia of the United States when called the militia is called to service. 2. To make treaties provided this is with the concurrence of at least two-thirds of the United States Senate concur 3. Appoint ambassadors, ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and officers of the United States, unless laws for this are written that is not contrary to the US constitution. 4. Grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States except in impeachment. 5. Fill up vacancies in the Senate that may happen during the recess of the Senate. On the other hand, Section 3 Article II of the US Constitution gives the following powers and responsibilities to the US President: 1. Provide information to Congress on the State of the Union and recommend measures for consideration. 2. Convene the two legislative houses as necessary and expedient, according to the President’s judgment, on extraordinary occasions. 3. Receive ambassadors and public ministers. 4. Ensure that laws are executed. Formal powers of the President are derived from the Constitution and laws of the United States. As the leader of the nation, however, the United States President exercises moral and political suasion on the American people. He is assumed to be the voice and will of the American people. For example, although decision-making on laws belong to the US Congress, the President’s position on the matter is being considered by Congressmen before making decision on laws. In part, a Congressman’s position on proposed laws brought before them can be influenced by the point of view of the President even if separation of powers among the three branches of government is deemed to be a fundamental principle of the land. Meanwhile, under Section 1 Article 1 of the US Constitution, all legislative powers are vested in the Congress of the United States. Under the Constitution, the US Congress is composed of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Under Section 3 Article 1 of the US Constitution, the Vice President is the President of the Senate but has no vote during deliberations. Under Section 8 Article 1, the powers of the Congress cover the provision of laws for the following: 1. Collection of taxes, duties, imposts, and excises as well as payment of government debts. 2. Ensure common defense and welfare. 3. Borrow money on behalf of the United States of America. 4. Create rules on naturalization. 5. Regulate commerce with nations, states, and with Indian tribes. 6. Establish uniform laws on bankruptcies. 7. Create and regulate money as well as provide laws for punishing counterfeiters. 8. Establish post offices and road. 9. Promote the advancement of science and art. 10. Organize tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court. 11. Punish and even define piracy. 12. Declare war, write letters of reprisal, and make rules on capture in land and waters. 13. Raise and support armies and navies. 14. Make rules for government and regulation of armed forces. 15. Activate, provide training and organization of the militia as necessary, suppress insurrection, and repel invasions. In the US Congress, an organizational structure, practices, and parliamentary laws exist that are “not part of the formal written rules of the House but springs from precedent or long-standing custom” (Slaughter 3). At the same time, according to Louise Slaughter, the House adopted the Jefferson’s Manual as a source of supplementary authority to govern privilege, quorum, committees, motions, and bills (3). House rule XXIX mandates that the Jefferson’s Manual govern the rules of the House on which the manual applies provided the manual rules are consistent with rules of the House (Slaughter 3). Although, the Office of the Speaker of House is identified in the US Constitution, the Constitution did not define the Speakers’ duties (Slaughter 6). However, based only on House Rules, the Speaker has substantial powers in the US Congress and, consequently, in the US government (Slaughter 6). For instance, the Speaker of the House calls the House to order, preserves decorum, recognizes members to speak and make motions, presents pending business to the House for a vote, certifies various actions of the house, and refers measures to committees (Slaughter 7). In sum, the Speakers’ powers can determine what legislations may or may not prosper or whether measures would be adequately attended at all. Alternative, this is akin to having an individual in government who has vast powers and, yet, the powers are not defined by the US Constitution. Louise Slaughter narrates that for the first 50 years of existence of the House, the House Speaker is elected by secret ballot (6). In 1839, however, the selection method became vive voce wherein each member names aloud whom a representative favors to become the Speaker. Other than House Officials (such as the Speaker) and committees in the US Congress that wield power de facto, political parties are also influential. Political parties organize their own blocs within Congress, elect their own officials, and meet or conduct causes. Party decisions to support or not legislation influence the shape of legislations. In summary, we can say that the institutions of American governance have formal and informal components and the informal components are just as important as the formal components. Works Cited Hodgson, Geoffrey. “What are Institutions?” Journal of Economic Issues XL.1 (March 2006): 1-25. Schneider, Judy. “House Leadership Structure: Overview of Party Organization.” Library of Congress: Congressional Research Service, 10 July 2003. Slaughter, Louise. “Organization of the House: Section 1, Part 2 of 2.” 111th Congress: Committee on Rules Legislative Process Program, 20 January 2010. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. United States Department of Homeland Security: Citizenship and Immigration Services, 2008. Read More