Define political institution

Political institutions are the organizations in a government that create, enforce, and apply laws. They
often mediate conflict, make (governmental) policy on the economy and social systems, and otherwise
provide representation for the population.

In general, democratic political regimes are divided into two types: presidential (headed by a president)
and parliamentary (headed by a parliament). Legislatures built to support the regimes are unicameral
(only one house) or bicameral (two houses—for example, a senate and a house of representatives or a
house of commons and a house of lords).

Pinpoint need of political SYSTEM

 political systems grapple with a subject matter that is today in constant flux. They must deal not
only with the major processes of growth, decay, and breakdown but also with a ceaseless ferment
of adaptation and adjustment. The magnitude and variety of the changes that occurred in the
world’s political systems beginning in the early 20th century suggest the dimensions of the
problem. Great empires disintegrated; nation-states emerged, flourished briefly, and then
vanished; world wars twice transformed the international system; new ideologies swept the
world and shook established groups from power; all but a few countries experienced at least
one revolution and many countries two or more; domestic politics in every system were
contorted by social strife and economic crisis; and everywhere the nature of political life was
changed by novel forms of political activity, new means of mass communication, the
enlargement of popular participation in politics, the rise of new political issues, the extension of
the scope of governmental activity, the threat of nuclear war, and innumerable other social,
economic, and technical developments.

THREE IMPORTANT BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT

Legislative Branch:
this branch was separated into two separate chambers.

House of Representatives –
these people were to be elect directly by the people based on population. These representatives are
elected to represent their local constituents when creating or voting on laws and budgets.

Senate
- in order to have representation of the “state’s” interests, these representatives were originally elected by
the legislative members of each state, who were elected by the people of their state. With the passage of
the 17th Amendment, the Senate is now elected by direct popular vote, just as the house. The 17th
amendment forever changed the separation of powers so beautifully struck in our constitution because th e
members of the Senate are no longer responsible to the legislative members of their state.
This branch, based on the writing of the Federalist Papers — is the strongest and most powerful branch of
our federal republic.

Executive Branch:
The executive has the power to veto legislation and budgets that are presented to him from the legislative
branch.
The president is responsible for EXECUTING the laws passed by the legislative branch.
Last, the president is commander in chief military operations.
This branch, based on the writing of the Federalist Papers - has much less power than the legislative
branch, but does veto power — however, a veto can be overridden.

Judicial Branch:
This branch is the weakest among all the branches, as is very clearly articulated in the Federalist Papers.
This branch is purely controlled by the House of Representatives. Aside from one chief justice, required
by the constitution, the House of Representatives could add more or remove any judicial agencies (by
jurisdiction) and can add or remove supreme court seats at will.
This was the branch, in the Declaration of Independence, that accounted for the most abuses of power.
The founders knew that the courts’ power had to be diminished as much as possible because it was the
most likely to become corrupt.