Final answer:
The American government's separation of powers requires cooperation amongst the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, rather than their operating independently. This is due to a system of checks and balances that obliges these branches to work together and share power. Federalism further divides power, allowing states to share in the exercise of certain governmental functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the American government system, the principle of separation of powers divides the government into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial, each with distinct responsibilities. Some might interpret this as each branch operating independently of the others; however, political scientist Richard Neustadt posited that the Constitutional Convention intended for these branches not just to be separate but for the institutions to share powers.
For instance, although Congress has the authority to draft legislation, it must consider the executive branch's concerns, as the President has the power to veto legislation. In response, Congress can override a presidential veto, but this requires considerable support from lawmakers and is used infrequently. Therefore, checks and balances impact the way these branches operate and ensure they cooperate rather than function independently.
Federalism and Power Sharing Between National and State Governments
The American government system also employs federalism, which divides power between the national and state governments, creating a secondary layer where power is shared. States reserve the right to enact their own laws and are granted certain powers unless explicitly denied by the Constitution. An example of this is the concurrent power to levy taxes, executed by both national and state governments.