Why the American Government works

The American form of government is not perfect; its flaws are increasingly apparent by the budget stalemates and incessant bickering that plagues our legislative branch today. Yet America is still (one of) the world's greatest powers and has trail blazed a method of democracy and freedom yearned for by countless citizens of other countries.

Why has America's government been so effective?

The answer lies with two key characteristics of the American government. One, it is not ruled by violent or powerful factions, and two, it has a system of checks and balances to deter corruption of any one branch.

In his Federalist No. 10 paper, James Madison warns against the threat of factions, which are groups of people motivated by "by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community." He goes on to explain why factions cannot be eradicated (the cost would be higher than the result) and instead puts forth the argument that the next best thing to do is to control their effects. 

Here is where Madison's beliefs coincide with the structure of the American government.

"A republic, by which I mean a government in which the scheme of representation takes place, opens a different prospect, and promises the cure for which we are seeking."

The current American government is a republic, the very one that Madison so ardently swears by. He believes in republics because they depend on a small group of chosen representatives making decisions for the rest of the population.

"The effect of the first difference [between a democracy and republic] is, on the one hand, to refine and enlarge the public views, by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country, and whose patriotism and love of justice will be least likely to sacrifice it to temporary or partial considerations."

This "chosen body of citizens" may not be the most perfect humans to be leading the country, but Madison believes in their ability to do what is right for the country instead of their self-interest. In the US today, we trust President Barack Obama and Congress to make the right decisions for us. The idea of putting faith in another chosen body of people to lead and carry out decisions serves as the foundation of the principle of republicanism.

The second (and equally important) reason why the American government remains a functioning entity today is due to its strong system of checks and balances. In Federalist papers No. 51, Madison writes,

"In order to lay a due foundation for that separate and distinct exercise of the different powers of government, which to a certain extent is admitted on all hands to be essential to the preservation of liberty, it is evident that each department should have a will of its own; and consequently should be so constituted that the members of each should have as little agency as possible in the appointment of the members of the others."

In this quote, Madison argues that a strong, lasting government must separate various powers and ensure that one branch cannot corrupt or undermine another. With a stable political system, the government is able to function more effectively than most governments in the world through its assurance of peace and order. This system of checks and balances was designed to withstand the test of time. Consequently, it is still a part of our government and also explains the effectiveness of it today.