John Locke How Does The Government Work

In order to understand how the American government works, one must address

the questions, who governs and for what purpose. However, the obvious answer may not

be the correct one. Many may think that those who govern are the people or perhaps

politicians. In actuality, there is no definite individual or particular group who governs.

Instead governing is a process, which involves several groups (voters, candidates, parties,

executive officials etc) who carry out the policies of the people by bargaining,

supporting, and compromising. The purpose of those who govern is to bind society in

law. The Constitution provides legitimacy for the government 's purpose, ensuring the

rights of the people, as well as, protecting those who are governed from being dominated

by those in power.
Democracy involves political participation, voting, and citizen participation.

Thus, one can say that every institution or individual governs in various ways and for

different purposes. The American government follows Participatory democracy or

representative democracy. The president is elected to serve the interests of the people.

He represents the will of the majority, just as the title suggests. He is authorized to make

decisions, but he alone does not have full control. In an essay concerning civil

government, John Locke describes how a government functions. According to him, the

only way a government can exist is when the people individually consent to the power of

the government under majority rule. In order for a government to exist the people must

submit to the government (if not there would be no government). The Constitution

provides a similar explanation but not entirely. The Constitution creates a system of

separate institutions (or branches) that share powers. The president makes up the

executive branch. Those eligible for voting contribute to choosing the president. The

Electoral College votes also and chooses the president. The president has certain