How is power divided in the United States government? - Belinda Stutzman

View full lesson: ed.ted.com/lessons/how-is-powe...
Article II of the United States Constitution allows for three separate branches of government (legislative, executive, and judicial), along with a system of checks and balances should any branch get too powerful. Belinda Stutzman breaks down each branch and its constitutionally-entitled powers.
Lesson by Belinda Stutzman, animation by Johnny Chew.

[@camilorivera2749]

4 minutes from this channel summarized what a whole year of class tried to teach me. Awesome video!

[@sharvenkevin1699]

That's kinda strange. What did you learn?

[@lolow3689]

@@sharvenkevin1699 probably didn’t pay attention

[@sharvenkevin1699]

@@lolow3689 Yeah def.

[@Get_well_soon_]

@@lolow3689 y’know some people learn differently right?

[@Vxdzc]

I have a 26 yo friend who is a ex-marine and he know alot of thing from the gouvernement i he tell us about all the thing he know and i just think that i will get swatted 😂

[@el-yb3gf]

im just gonna help out the students by explaining the roles of each branch and who is in each..... legislative: comprised of 100 U.S. senators and 435 members in the U.S. House of Representatives (this is better known as the U.S. congress). The primary function of the legislative branch is to make laws but its also responsible for approving federal judges & justices, passing the national budget, and declaring war. Each state gets 2 senators and a certain amount of representatives depending on how many people live in that state executive: leaders of this branch are the President & Vice President who are responsible for enforcing the laws that congress sets forth. The President works closely with a group of advisors known as the Cabinet (these appointed helpers assist the President in making important decisions within their area of expertise; such as defense, the treasury, and homeland security). This branch also appoints government officals, commands the armed forces, and meets with leaders of other nations. The executive branch employs over 4 million people to get everything done judicial: comprised of all the courts in the land (from the federal district courts to the U.S. supreme court); these courts interpret our nations laws and punishes those who break them. The highest court, the Supreme Court, settles disputes among states, hears and appeals from state and federal courts, and determines if federal laws are constitutional. There are 9 justices on the Supreme Court and unlike any other job in our government, supreme court justices are appointed FOR LIFE, OR for as long as they want to stay.

[@Byufard]

elyse ! Truly a godsend lmao

[@SugaryBonBon]

Thank you! Taking a journalism course at the moment in my freshman year and was completely stumped when the professor asked about this...

[@deivisonmedeiros9196]

Thank you .

[@sealbunnygem3395]

Thanks, this is what I needed

[@zyonrichmond6945]

Thx

[@thedudeeatsugar1533]

Shout out to people watching this for virtual Social Studies

[@DeadDrop64]

lol

[@shrek4400]

Omg yessss

[@PekkaNetwork]

Nah watching for Civilization and im European.

[@neonit5970]

Lol

[@sh0wfalll]

lol

[@Hami10101]

Thanks for much needed context, now I can go back to my house of cards episode XD

[@Shloeb]

+Hami101 lol. I was looking for this comment. :D

[@keukenkastje05]

+Hami101 Came here for the exact same reason. ;)

[@laela6289]

+Hami101 So you were only interested in learning about your country's _government system_ just to watch a stupid TV show? Seriously? You and the 42 others are exactly what's wrong with this country. My god.

[@keukenkastje05]

Please take in consideration that we might not be citizens of the United States of America. Maybe we enjoy watching “a stupid TV show” but have some difficulty understanding how the American government works; since it clearly differs from our own.

[@laela6289]

keukenkastje05 Fair enough.

[@C345OFR]

As a Briton, I've often looked on with a little confusion when discussions happen Statesside surrounding the different branches of power. Other explanations have tended to be convoluted but this was at once concise and informative. Many thanks!

[@bellei365]

‘Depends on an informed citizenry’ well that’s your first problem

[@valerieramirez3107]

HAHAHAHAHAHA

[@crumblycaca7138]

Lol

[@lilsy_mfs]

LMAO

[@johnnotrealname8168]

So if blacks are poorly educated and cannot even get an ID, then...

[@JohnSmith-nz2yq]

Okay, so what's a bettwr government for an uninformed citizenry then?

[@yahsaves6725]

You forgot the 4th branch of government: "The US Media".

[@imyasharya]

It's not a part of Government exactly.

[@charlieleonardo]

@@imyasharya It's acting like it is tho!

[@imyasharya]

@@charlieleonardo Nonetheless, it's an acting. Things are different behind the curtains

[@johnwach1865]

They also forgot our own 5th column. the fake news press that really runs your lives. Bow down or they will destroy you.

[@IDBTitanosaurus]

The Federal Reserve Board.

[@tankersmit]

Great video , the clearest and easiest to understand...that I have seen on youtube! (Practicing my civics test for Us Citizenship). Thank you!!

[@watchingyoutwo3800]

Yeah that sounds like you like screwing your neighbors daughter! Cause you feel privilege like an Elite! Tell them all who the fuk these elite are messing with! Who am I the only one that has the Authority of god on earth unlike the Authority of humanity they get to fk up and get arrested !

[@ib..1803]

wtf is this test ?

[@aneyesky]

Congrats! Best wishes for you on your test

[@henryconner780]

Hope it went well!

[@marcelh663]

This must have helped thousands of American primary school kids do their homework in under for minutes... But it also helped a European grown understand the news about America. Thank you!

[@doodlerose6291]

that thumbnail aged like fine wine 💀

[@Jaccobtw]

😂😂😂

[@lilahfeuquay5351]

@@Jaccobtw AND.. "THIS"-Video IS AGED > {3 ADMINISTRATIONS AGO!!!) I "PRESUME" (^^THIS ^^-above) IS.....most fact, & NOT ALL true and currently & Legally carried out today!>? DELEGITAMENT in parts> this IS MISLEADING! TO: "The UN-INFORMED CITIZENRY!" TO COERCE US-(THE PEOPLE) Feel as if -WE ARE IN THAT- 2.0 of "OBAMA-GA#E/HAT! E" / "STILL." TODAY/JULY-2021.

[@annabellecody4224]

This is amazing! The animation is awesome and the topic is explained so well!

[@PRODBYLIIVID]

Homework Assignment gang

[@luke1495]

Not me, here to learn!

[@ToneB]

"Democrats and republicans Are two fangs on the same snake." Dr. Valentine

[@laurencelikestopgun]

Watch out guys, a reddit user is here

[@ToneB]

Super Rabbit Republicans are brute wolves. Democrats are sly foxes. They both belong to the same dog family. :-) Cheers

[@ericp0012]

George Washington warned use about political parties... but nobody listened.

[@JesusChrist-er4xr]

+Tone B nice anology but where is your evidence?

[@ToneB]

Wavell Watson What type of democracy do we live in where bills are passed everyday and the majority( i.e. the people) do not know? Sounds like the fangs of a serpent biting the majority and they don't know or can't feel it.

[@anjalisharmapusa299]

Simply wow... Part of my syllabus and so simply explained by your team. Thank you. 🙌

[@lisaweaver986]

Its really sad to your college paying into upon a hidden of a taken over government that teaches your mind to control you to a you paid a narrative to forward. Colleges to asking you to money to educate you is a cruel joke . It truly is to these money pocketing colleges off you and your parents who pay to a hidden educational games of their money.

[@Polar-4038]

Usually I’m not a huge fan of history but this really helped me thank you! 👍

[@ultra3068]

Made in 2013 but looks like Donald Trump

[@asron1294]

ULTRA it’s just a white politician. Those aren’t rare

[@Fgtfv567]

Hi, I'm from 2019. You don't know what you just did

[@keiralane1575]

@@Fgtfv567 Trump was President when he/she commented that

[@tree8821]

Who?

[@NinjaPlaysMinecraft]

It’s cause the government has all the power and makes calculated moves and masquerades it’s self as perceived freedom while we are all enslaved in reality and this in turn made the common man weak so they have all the power now

[@iicherryxsoda8823]

Anyone watching this on Election Day 2020?

[@mikaelleonbriones6356]

Anyone watching this after Biden won?

[@blesskangels]

@@mikaelleonbriones6356 yes

[@blesskangels]

I'm a bit late

[@3lite_ben185]

@@blesskangels i’m early to ur comment 😂

[@blesskangels]

@@3lite_ben185 Hello benson

[@isaabdullah4426]

" Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Lord Action "Because power corrupts, society's demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases." John Adams

[@paterfamiliasgeminusiv4623]

It is Lord Acton. A good mention nevertheless.

[@Hentzau.]

Lord Action sounds like an fps shooter gamertag lol.

[@the5555man]

as a non-American this video was so helpful to understand the basics. thanks.

[@visible.3624]

Emmm ur filter looks horror 😵😫😂😂😂😂

[@MrReplay2]

why did you want to know

[@ib..1803]

non of your business

[@MrReplay2]

@@ib..1803 who even are you

[@ib..1803]

@@MrReplay2 none of your business 2

[@jazleenconcepcion3310]

this is so old and my teacher making me watch this in 2020

[@Gabriella-gf3uo]

fr tho haha

[@janaalchoum4291]

Same and i dont even live in the US. Like US dosent spend time learning about other countries so wh should we do it

[@milastefanovic5585]

@@janaalchoum4291 same im doing this for some homework its annoying

[@PekkaNetwork]

Samee

[@felidae272]

@@janaalchoum4291 It's probably because you live in a country with ties to America. Western Europe and Canada are the first that come to mind

[@espressothoughts]

A slight mention of John Locke's influence on this would have been nice

[@DjCrash13]

Or Montesquieu

[@Audreyloveliness]

Thank you, Belinda! This was a very informative video. You helped me a lot.

[@AJGM051104]

Great informational video!

[@ejgriffin1997]

This is a great video. I enjoyed watching this so very much!

[@YahNation]

It is always good to refresh the rudiments you learned a while ago!!!

[@christianluyando883]

Thank you for all these answers TED-Ed I believe I have the right to take action.

[@oneboy8183]

This is easier to learn than school lectures

[@dennisflynn4097]

I really liked the way you described the subject matter short and sweet and wish Americans understood the power of the grass roots politics in the legislation portion. Thank You

[@ayedaparkerashmarie2804]

dennis flynn How are you doing Text me [e-mail] I have something for you dear

[@MajBrentson]

Hello 👋

[@suzyk8]

This is a great video to share with my Government class! It is informational and keeps their attention. Well done! I will use this when introducing checks and balances soon. Thank you!

[@jeffreymikeson8844]

Hello Susan?

[@bobbybroussard785]

Hello how are you doing today

[@vibewithkeke2885]

I-

[@lindawisebear]

This a beautifully succinct video - I'm sending this video link to my teacher because its often hard to simply explain the power system to a class. Great job! :)

[@brendaosyguss4300]

Nada Bome bada bing lady

[@jeffreymikeson8844]

Hi Linda?

[@jamessmithjames757]

There's something I need to understand on this message Linda, are we the most powerful country?

[@marvinespana9898]

Fantastic Video. Keep it up TED-Ed

[@greenzoid2]

I have thought about this topic a lot and all the changes the world would have to make to achieve what is talked about so often politically, which is peace and freedom. No matter where I turn, I realize that literally everything has to change or will change due to a change to something else. It is a very hard thing to grasp, I think.

[@lacabrita09]

Very well explained

[@bobbybroussard785]

Hello how are you doing today

[@civicsreview5697]

This video has helped a lot of my students. Thanks!

[@robloxian101yt4]

I hate the government!

[@mikaelleonbriones6356]

@@robloxian101yt4 Well why the heck are you here then!

[@ib..1803]

to say that

[@sergiobelalcazar9806]

This helped a ton! Thanks!!! :D

[@dianaa8263]

Soooo easy to understand omg thank you!!!

[@luca_the_only2217]

is an very good video

[@noahprando3091]

Trop bien tu as utile ma 4g

[@mimimimi-fr9sl]

thank you so much I really really need it to much I have an exam tomorrow about this thank you

[@sssalsera]

Great video thanks!

[@mariaarthur6643]

Helped me understand more about my test. :)

[@dreeam1120]

My channel games subscribe now and all you share your farinds best gaming

[@johnjaden2143]

Hi beautiful Maria, how are you doing

[@scpfoundation6852]

@@johnjaden2143 Just so you know, comments like that make you look weird.

[@bobbybroussard785]

Hello how are you doing today

[@digaddog6099]

I'd like to mention something that I wasn't aware of for quite some time, not every democracy uses separation of powers like we do. This has arguably created more stable systems, more democratic systems in some places. 1. Parliamentary versus presidential: America uses a presidential system where we vote (indirectly) for the chief executive. Parliamentary systems instead work through giving the legislature power over the chief executive. If a vote of no confidence reaches majority, the chief executive must resign. 2. Bicameral systems: There are four general types of bicameral systems, which are found by every combination of answers to these questions: are the chambers given equal power? Are they dominated by the different party? If you're answer to one of these is no, then you live in either weak or insignificant bicameral system. Some bicameral systems have taken so much power, usually from the upper house, that the upper house is practically just ceremonial. 3. The sliding scale: Let's take a political system and a character we'll refer to as "the representative." The representative wants to change something. How difficult is it for the representative to do so? Let's say the scale goes from 0-1, where 0 denotes perfect electocracy, where the elected serves as a practical dictator. 1, then, denotes perfect necrocracy, where the system is so thoroughly tied to the rules of the dead that you have no legitimate route to change the system. Neither of these systems are preferable, so there must be some sweet spot between them. I have reason to suspect that we are far too close to 1. First off, look at the constitution. The constitution is do hard to change that we've decided to just let the justices reinterpret it. I also notice that no civil rights movement has succeeded without, to put it lightly, a little trolling. 4. The blind spot of separation of powers: I think we give George Washington too much credit for prophesying the rise of political parties. Political parties are natural, and the system he made only exacerbated the problem by his distrust in the common people. Its like if Lenin said, "haha i sure hope that our belief in the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie, democratic centralism, and the vanguard party wont hurt the very workers we claim to protect that would be crrraaazzzyyy," and then we treat him like the messiah when the USSR did those human rights violations. Except Washington was a lot less bad and had better intentions. As it stands, if we want a law passed, then the president and both houses must align. We believed at the time that these powers would serve as separate institutions at opposite ends, but the real division is between parties. So, we have two options: the parties are aligned or unaligned. If the parties are aligned, then the system is not much different than if there were no checks and balances at all. If the parties are unaligned, then it is near impossible for any legislation to get through. Well, that's how it should work in theory anyway. This is just a rough outline of the issue 5. Presidential approaching dictatorship: Under presidentialism, if a president, the most powerful person in the country, starts encroaching their powers, you can't get rid of them easily. You could try impeaching them, but historically impeachment has always occurred on party lines. Many political scientists argue that presidential systems tend towards authoritarianism, which you might see in FDR or Donald Trump. This is because the system is winner takes all, where the winner can keep executive power unchallenged within this theater for four whole years. Not to mention, under parliamentary system the cabinet is often a combination of political parties, to reach 50%+1 votes.

[@erica.5620]

An interesting read, cheers

[@ahsaanullah7490]

Well explained!!!

[@alparslankorkmaz2964]

Nicely explained.

[@bluemoose2986]

Great starter piece. Fun and informative. Democracy vs Republic now if you get a chance. I think the American people need an even more rudimentary understanding of WHY we do government the way we do in order to understand what it is they really want changed.

[@MaderaByWolf]

There is no democracy vs republic. The two are not exclusive.

[@baumgartnerpaulina6342]

Hey, we watched this video in a German school in English class to understand this system better. You say, that the legislative branch's task also is to declare war. The exicutiv's task also is to defense the country. But to defense it, in most cases, you have to declare war. So, what's the difference about this point of the legislative and the judicative?

[@cuddlemuffin.9545]

Legislative declares war, executive commands the military.

[@baumgartnerpaulina6342]

Thanks for the answer :)

[@juanitasullivan3372]

Great explanation. Thank you.

[@ayedaparkerashmarie2804]

Juanita Sullivan How are you doing Text me [e-mail] I have something for you dear

[@bobbybroussard785]

Hello how are you doing today

[@stephaniewilliams4910]

good video and break down for better understanding of the very foundation laid before us! we must educate ourselves to help built up the next generation we have got to stay woke

[@nameisamine]

involved, informed, and intelligent. Everything the vast majority of my fellow Americans are not. Our countrys fucked!

[@jermanospetalos3823]

+K- Ainmé yup

[@JohnLee-kl4tc]

Just because your friends and family are idiots doesn't mean the country is but If being idiots means having a the biggest military, huge economy, political importance, and cultural impact then by all means. I highly doubt your american but if you are then move, no one's stopping you.

[@nameisamine]

***** its also the world leader in debt and bullying other countries.... i mean, cant we all just get along?

[@ShidaiTaino]

Thanatos the public school system doesn't matter if the students don't care.

[@DigitalPlacebo]

Best explanation I've found of government powers.

[@PETE4955]

No this is the way its supposed to work as opposed to actual work. One name Joe Manchin.

[@gayatrikheralia2580]

Thankyou so much for the video 😊

[@elijahflynt3217]

This is a such a good one!

[@carlafarfan9224]

Thx now I can do my homework lol

[@janettesalce2396]

great one! Perfect for my lesson.

[@jeffreymikeson8844]

Yeah this is really amazing. well how are you doing today Janette?

[@jamessmithjames757]

Janette there's one question I need to ask you

[@jamessmithjames757]

Do you think we are the most powerful country?

[@raniaikhlass7289]

Thank you so much the vd was so helpful 💜

[@Mikka0]

Very useful.

[@nuwrdiynsinclair2127]

3:06 "Make America Great Again" hat

[@CM-bt7gi]

What!? Oh my gosh it is how did I not see that!?😱

[@robloxian101yt4]

America has never been great!

[@badcornflakes6374]

@@robloxian101yt4 Great is what you make it out to be. what the American makes it out to be.

[@brandeeno2846]

Robloxian 101 then why so many people move here?

[@axelescobedo6027]

Bogdan Shumenko Most likely Economy but not culture my dear

[@bendaoudoumaima4957]

Thank you from arab Algeria🌹

[@bobbybroussard785]

Hello how are you doing today

[@vishalgashokraj7901]

Woww what an explanation great work ❤️👍

[@thogameskanaal]

In the Netherlands, where we have a similar, almost identical system, we call this Trias Politica, from Latin, translated: The political triad

[@Elizabeth-ee7nm]

Great video! it will help me with my Social Studies class. The answer to change or improve our government depends on our involvement. Get involved, participate , vote and pray for our leaders. God bless America! :D

[@johnjaden2143]

Yeah it is and I can't believe it took me 8 years to come across this video

[@johnjaden2143]

Hi Elizabeth 👋 how are you doing

[@jrlopez1027.]

Watching this for school lol I forgot I commented this ._.

[@brycehampton443]

Lol same

[@catereenacat]

Hunter Onken I know you from school

[@catereenacat]

Hunter Onken Idk *who* am i

[@user-sh3po1qp3v]

Same

[@visible.3624]

Ya both are d- beauty

[@timuribragimov00]

Great explanation !!

[@kwasiadu2121]

Thank you so much!!! I will pass my test now

[@deanacerniglia2316]

This is an excellent video. May I have permission to use it in my curriculum? Thanks for your consideration.

[@jeffreymikeson8844]

Hey Deana how are you doing today?

[@bobbybroussard785]

Hello how are you doing today

[@JoeBidenFallsOffBikes]

Hey how you doing today

[@wx9038]

actually the founding father wanted a weak central government where most of the power belong to each state. The separation of the government is one example of many. When the first laws came to be in the United States the central government was so weak that it had no power to print money or to rise an army, and the requirement to create federal law is so high, it was almost impossible to pass any legislation. This lead to each state have their own currency, military, and laws. In reality the early days of America is just like ancient Greeks. City-state-like (only more difference is more than one major city per state)

[@greenzoid2]

wow well put. I completely agree

[@decodexo]

woah, thanks for the help c:

[@flipmex1]

They forgot the 4th branch: The media!

[@asahel980]

that would be under executive

[@Ho-mb2wb]

@@asahel980 if a democrat is in office!

[@martingo2680]

You mean Facebook right?

[@beth_bws6045]

Well here’s me revising last minute for my modern studies prelim

[@johnjaden2143]

Hi Beth, how are you?

[@ezpz4646]

Thank you.

[@laureenstiner5524]

In school I received 10 pages of text. Here I have all the information from the text in 4 minutes. Easy and squeeze! Thanks xx

[@ChaseCetta]

Very concise video. One error: the United States of America is NOT a democracy, but a constitutional federal republic. The difference: In a republic, a constitution or charter of rights protects certain inalienable rights that cannot be taken away by the government, even if it has been elected by a majority of voters. In a "pure democracy," the majority is not restrained in this way and can impose its will on the minority.

[@elephantgrass631]

I love the sound of laptop mics.

[@abhishekpathak1373]

Worth sharing

[@legalmails]

Best Video.Thank you

[@fruitylooperies8166]

I just want to know an example of an Organized Government! D:

[@jayveonna9527]

Omg same

[@Dodaran]

and Lieberman :D

[@carlacorley2375]

Great info!👍🏼

[@jeffreymikeson8844]

Yeah. Well how you doing today Carla?

[@georgezviadgoglodze7810]

Good job!

[@abidrzaidi]

As someone that's from the UK where the political system is MUCH simpler than the US', this video helped a lot! Thanks!

[@azulaquaza4916]

Not really, your PM does absolutely nothing

[@datboibaz147]

Easily corrupted *

[@neonit5970]

Why does the "president" looks like Trump this video was made in 2013 lol

[@isabellemudge8042]

also the red hat on the citizen looks like a MAGA hat !

[@mLafayette]

Time travel

[@ericX97]

Well that makes more sense. Thank you.

[@Kingkong-in9io]

thanks so much keep up the good work

[@Kingkong-in9io]

thanks for liking my comet

[@justinschamel2443]

This is how it is supposed to be but not how it is anymore. The government is supposed to protect the rights of the people not take them away.

[@JohnLee-kl4tc]

Your speaking right now, so clearly your not being oppressed.

[@DestructiveWizard]

john roig just because you can speak doesn't mean you aren't oppressed

[@tpro106]

0:23 is the trump? they updated

[@badryaalamri3627]

AN ORIGINAL BREAKFAST!! U cant update a vid. U can only update the title.

[@jacksonhandy7904]

what is profile pic

[@sobian2209]

Hey your animation was extradionary 😍😁

[@Onetwohoop2]

Trop bien la vidéo franchement c’est interessant

[@KEKETRPN]

Nn

[@steampunk5447]

Non c est éclaté

[@caruloshouse]

Please help Venezuela and Argentina, civil war here

[@ragnaroksora8129]

you guys solve it yourself.

[@Commievn]

*Das Soziale*

[@santtu1249]

In Argentina?

[@noice2606]

U.S: oil? But seriously besides memes I hope your situation gets better. From the U.S 🇺🇸.

[@MarkArandjus]

Appointing someone for life, especially a supreme court justice, sounds like a terrible idea. Anyway, good video, TED-ed!

[@GeedawgIA]

Well the reason they do it is because they don't want the judges to be affected by political influence

[@MarkArandjus]

How do you mean? SCOTA Judges are by they very nature political as they are appointed by the president. If the president is republican he'll appoint a conservative judge, if the president is a democrat he'll appoint a progressive judge.

[@GeedawgIA]

+Mark Arandjus well it's also used so a judge isn't kicked out because they opose the view of the current system and vote differently

[@visible.3624]

Thx mate ur rlly helpfull ☺

[@Mirsab]

This explains it so perfectly, I just hope it accurate.

[@TheInselaffen]

OMG: Its Trump! 0:22

[@computo2000]

We're dead.

[@guzkus1]

I think it's Bush, but maybe.

[@whateverkkkk4970]

Organon

[@thesquake8590]

rip

[@computo2000]

D:

[@KEKETRPN]

Tout ceux qui trouve que raphi est gros liké

[@leoberchem2995]

noah est plus gros

[@jenechev133]

Great video!

[@anoojramkhelawon8303]

Thank you so much, it really helped me in understanding how separation of powers work for US. Need a similar one for the UK parliament. Girish from Mauritius

[@mandy7800]

"The rules were written by man. Surely they can be unwritten."

[@hellrazer7681]

"Keeeeeeeeng"

[@reinl7]

Wow. All this time I thought the principles in the US were different than everywhere else. Thanks to this video, I now know it's just a more complex version (because states are also included) of division of power, almost the same as in my tiny country.

[@aryanbhuta3382]

The main point that people make is that the US was the first to divide power this way in the modern era. It is not unique for its structure of government, but unique in that it was the first large democracy since the Roman Republic.

[@aarongamblin2137]

Question submitted by Dean Wyatt West Hopkins Middle School. How do you hold your own with the competition being the oldest out there??