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    Joleen Ngoriakl
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    In a democracy, supreme power is vested in its citizens versus, let's say, an autocracy where a dictator enjoys all if not most of the powers. The Legislative body writes the law; the Executive branch executes the law; and the Judicial branch interprets the highest law of the land known as the Constitution.

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    In a BetelNutshell

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    In a democracy, supreme power is vested in its citizens versus, let's say, an autocracy where a dictator enjoys all if not most of the powers. The Legislative body writes the law; the Executive branch executes the law; and the Judicial branch interprets the highest law of the land known as the Constitution.

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    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    25 views1 page

    In A BetelNutshell

    Uploaded by

    Joleen Ngoriakl
    In a democracy, supreme power is vested in its citizens versus, let's say, an autocracy where a dictator enjoys all if not most of the powers. The Legislative body writes the law; the Executive branch executes the law; and the Judicial branch interprets the highest law of the land known as the Constitution.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    of 1

    In a BetelNutshell

    By Joleen Ngoriakl

    A Series.

    Power Relationships, The Heart of Politics


    When we think politics we often think of high-level politicians bashing each other over who did what, right? Actually, in its core, politics is really about power relationships. Its the arrangement and constant negotiation of powers between the people and various agencies of a government; and between those agencies themselves. Although there are different types of governments, this summary will cover power relationships within a democratic framework. In a democracy, supreme power is vested in its citizens versus, lets say, an autocracy where a dictator enjoys all if not most of the powers; or a monarchy where a King rules from his drone. In the democratic system, citizens exercise their power through elections where they choose representatives who will then make important socio- political and economic decisions by means of policy. These policies will directly or indirectly affect each and every person. In addition to the Legislative body, an Executive and a Judicial branch are also put in place so that power is nicely divided and spread out across the board. This system along with special built-in checks and balances is called the Separation of Powers. It prevents one person or one agency from becoming too powerful. In short, the Legislative b ranch writes the law; the Executive branch executes the law; and the Judicial branch interprets the highest law of the land known as the Constitution. Our government also operates under what is called a Federal

    The lowdown: In a betelNutshell is a series of brief summaries of basic political concepts (think high school civics class,) popular and relevant political philosophy, and political-economic issues. st The purpose of this series is to empower the 21 century citizen through introduction and review of political knowledge. As we continue to grow as a young democracy within a global political landscape, so does the need to better understand the democratic framework in which we live in.

    system; where authority and power are also divided (and shared) between the federal and state/local governments. Thus, our democratic system operates in two levels: a centralized government and smaller state governments. This allows for further divided authority within the grand democratic system. Power relationships make up the heart of politics. This power is divided and distributed elaborately in our democratic system. It is built this way in order to make sure that the people will always hold the supreme power of the land and that tyranny is prevented from all fronts. Happy politicking!

    QUIZ BOX

    1. Who holds the supreme power in a democratic government?

    Answer: We the people! 2. Why do we separate powers in such a complicated w ay? Answer: To prevent one person from ruling with unlimited power.


    Brought to you by Palau Youth for Change. 2012

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