Abraham Lincoln's plan of Reconstruction was conceived to reunite a divided country with a healing hand. His motives can best be summarized by the words from his second inaugural address, which advocated that the United States heal itself "with malice towards none, with charity for all." This plan was centered on the ten percent rule. This magnanimous provision stated that the former Confederate states would be welcomed back into the Union once ten percent of their voters publicly swore their loyalty to the country. The states would then be permitted to draft new state constitutions and elect their legislatures. Amnesty would be given to all but the highest-ranking Confederates who swore loyalty. Lincoln hoped that this generous and kind approach would encourage the rebels to accept defeat.
They order and structure the behavior of individuals by means of their normative character. They also structure incentives in human exchange, whether political, social or economic”. Institutions comprise for example contracts and contract enforcement, protection of property rights, the rule of law, government bureaucracies, financial markets.
The U.S. Constitution is full of checks and balances of the three branches of government. The best example of checks and balances is that the president can veto any bill passed by Congress, but a two-thirds vote in Congress can override the veto. Congress has the power to set and collect any taxes or duties.
