Three Arms Of Government: Their Roles

The structure of government is a fundamental aspect of any democratic system, providing a framework for the exercise of power and the protection of individual rights, with the three arms of government -- the executive, legislature, and judiciary -- playing critical roles in ensuring the effective governance of a country or nation. 

The executive arm of government is headed by a democratically elected President or Prime Minister; and it is responsible for enforcing laws and order and implementing policies. This arm of government is comprised of various federal government ministries, departments, and agencies that work together with the executive (Presidency) to deliver public services, and administer the nation's affairs. The executive arm of government plays a critical role in maintaining laws and order, promoting economic growth, and providing essential services to the citizens. In many countries of the world, the executive arm of government is also responsible for conducting foreign policies, negotiating peace treaties with countries which do not have proper diplomatic relationships with them. The objectives of such peaceful resolutions are to improve the economies of both countries through international trades. The executive arm of government also represents the nation at the international stage. 

The legislative arm of government is comprised of elected representatives from all senatorial zones and constituencies of the country. The two categories of legislators are senators and members of the Federal House of Representatives. The Senate is the Upper House of Assembly, while the House of Representatives is the Lower House of Assembly respectively. They are responsible for making laws for their country. They propose, debate, and vote to pass bills to create new laws and amend existing ones which are deemed to be anomalous. The legislature provides a platform for the citizens' voices to be heard, thereby enabling the populace to participate in the decision-making process through their elected representatives. In Nigeria, for example, the legislature is divided into two parts. The first one is the Senate (Upper House of Assembly) with 109 senators elected from 109 senatorial zones (districts), and the second one is the Federal House of Representatives (Lower House of Assembly) with 360 members elected from 360 federal constituencies. Both of them jointly make laws in Nigeria. The Senate (Upper House of Assembly) is headed by a Senate President, whilst the Federal House of Representatives (Lower House of Assembly) is headed by a Speaker of the House of Representatives. The legislative arm of government is responsible for providing a platform for citizens' voices to be heard, enabling them to participate in the decision-making process through their elected representatives. In most parliamentary systems, the legislature is often bicameral, consisting of an upper house and lower house (as I earlier stated about Nigeria), each with distinct roles and responsibilities. For example, the United States Congress is a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and House of Representatives, whilst the United Kingdom's Parliament comprises of the House of Lords and the House of Commons. 

The third arm of government is the Judiciary. It is vested with the responsibility of interpreting laws and ensuring that they are applied fairly, impartially, and equitably. This arm of government comprises of courts and judges who adjudicate disputes, determine guilt or innocence in criminal cases, and provide a check and balance on the powers of the executive and legislative arms of government. The judiciary plays a vital role in protecting individual rights and freedoms as enshrined in the Constitution of the nation, upholding the rule of law, and promoting justice and accountability. For example, landmark cases such as Marbury vs. Madison in the United States have established the principle of judicial review, which enables counts to declare laws and government actions unconstitutional and tyrannical to the hilt. 

The separation of powers between the three arms of government is extremely essential for preventing the concentration of power on one political gladiator, and ensuring that each arm of government can check and balance the others. This helps to prevent abuse of power, protect individuals' rights, and promote accountability, transparency, and equity in government. By dividing power among the executive, legislature, and judicial arms of government, the system can ensure that no single arm becomes too powerful, thereby safeguarding democracy and the rule of law across the world. 

Plato, a popular Greek philosopher, sternly warned that if democracy is not checked and balanced with proper governance, it can easily switch into tyranny, just as electricity baseload generated from uranium can easily be converted into dangerous nuclear reactors in a split second. According to Plato, democracy's emphasis on equality and freedom can create an environment where demagogues can rise to power overnight and manipulate the masses, ultimately leading to tyranny. In Plato's book titled "The Republic," Plato argued vehemently that democracy's lack of restraint and accountability can pave way for tyranny. Plato's concerns about democracy came on the heel of his experiences in ancient Athens, where he witnessed the rise of demagogues and the execution of Socrates, his mentor. The Athenian elders falsely accused Socrates of inciting the youths of Athens to riot against them through Socrates' inflammatory rhetoric. Plato believed that a system of governance without check and balance would be prone to abuse of power. Therefore, we can convincingly deduce that without separation of power, democracy becomes 100% demonic and tyrannical! It turns into a weapon of mass destruction in the hands of those in power and authority against the masses they swore to protect and guide. Plato's idea of unchecked power and importance of balanced governance aligns with this concept. Based on how the Athenian elders killed Socrates without any offence against them, Plato came to the conclusion that democracy is exceedingly hurtful and dangerous to the State if there are no checks and balances. The idea of separation of power was later pronounced and developed by philosophers like Charles-Louis Montesquieu. He was a French judge and political philosopher known for his theory of separation of power. It was Montesquieu who argued that dividing power among different branches is the only attested way to prevent abuse and protect the citizens of a nation. 

In conclusion, the three arms of government: the executive, legislature, and judiciary play critical roles in ensuring the effective governance of a country. By understanding the roles and responsibilities of each arm of government, citizens can appreciate the importance of checks and balances, accountability, and transparency in government. As James Madison, one of the founding fathers of United States, said, "The accumulation of all powers, executive, legislature, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny."

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