Why does the American form of government work?

In Federalist 51, James Madison writes:

"In a single republic, all the power surrendered by the people is submitted to the administration of a single government; and the usurpations are guarded against by a division of the government into distinct and separate departments. In the compound republic of America, the power surrendered by the people is first divided between two distinct governments, and then the portion allotted to each subdivided among distinct and separate departments. Hence a double security arises to the rights of the people. The different governments will control each other, at the same time that each will be controlled by itself."

As demonstrated in America, its government adheres to an efficient system called Checks and Balances. The purpose of checks and balances is to ensure not one branch of the government can allot more power than the others. After seceding from the British empire, the fathers of our government did not want to repeat mistakes made by the British. Witnessed by the colonists, the British government was too powerful and able to impose taxes and laws at will, violating the natural rights of the Americans. When the power surrendered by the people is only given to a specific group of people, it is likely that they abuse the power. This can be seen in monarchies and totalitarian regimes. To counter this, the Americans created a division of government, where power was spread out among 3 different branches, each with a separate job. Then from there power is then distributed among departments and districts. Coupled with this division of government, checks and balances makes sure that not one branch has too much power by giving each branch authorization to action if they feel a branch is dominant . For example, the president-part of the executive branch-can veto laws passed by the congressional legislation. Similarly, the legislative branch can pass laws over president’s veto and remove the president from office. If the any law passed by the congress is unconstitutional, the judicial branch can repeal it. This circle power checking assures that the power of the people is not misused.

In Federalist 10, James Madison writes:

"It must be confessed that in this, as in most other cases, there is a mean, on both sides of which inconveniences will be found to lie. By enlarging too much the number of electors, you render the representatives too little acquainted with all their local circumstances and lesser interests; as by reducing it too much, you render him unduly attached to these, and too little fit to comprehend and pursue great and national objects. The federal Constitution forms a happy combination in this respect; the great and aggregate interests being referred to the national, the local and particular to the State legislatures."

This section of Federalist 10 address the problems with fulfilling the interest of the people among the government. James Madison explains that if a government enlarges the number of voters too much, then the government will not be able to satisfy the interest the people at the local level. However, by reducing the number of electors, this small group of people do not have the right and say to make decisions at a national level. In America, a balance between the two situations is found in the constitution. There is a State Legislature, that works with the interest of the locals, and there is the Federal Government, the body of government that makes decision at a federal level. Again, a division of power can be witnessed, this time, allowing the government to take note of the both particular interests and great interests. While the American government is not perfect, its division of power allows it to be efficient and at the same time, justifiable.