Question

Discuss the watergate scandal of the nixon administration within the political and ethical context of the separation of powers. did the system of checks and balances operate according to constitutional design to limit presidential power?

Answer 1

The Watergate scandal shades light into the interplay between the 3 arms of the American government as well as the ethical values underpinning the constitutional framework. It demonstrates that US congressional committees are independent in executing their mandate such as in impeachment. It also demonstrates the independence of the Judiciary which ruled that the Court release oval office conversations. In the end, the system of checks and balances acted to check the power of each arm in accordance to the constitution