Question

multiple choice question
the most fundamental source of tension between the president and congress is
o due solely to partisanship
due to the checks and balances that are built into the separation of powers system
due to the unintended consequence of the design of the constitution
due to the internal organization of congress

Explanation:

To determine the answer, we analyze each option:

• "due solely to partisanship": Partisanship is a factor but not the fundamental source of tension between the president and Congress. Tension exists even across party lines due to institutional design.
• "due to the checks and balances that are built into the separation of powers system": The separation of powers (executive - president, legislative - Congress) includes checks and balances (e.g., Congress can override a veto, the president can propose legislation, Congress approves budgets). This system inherently creates tension as each branch has powers that can limit the other, making it the fundamental source.
• "due to the unintended consequence of the design of the Constitution": The separation of powers and checks and balances were intentional parts of the Constitution's design, not unintended consequences.
• "due to the internal organization of Congress": The internal organization of Congress (e.g., committee structure) affects its operations but is not the fundamental source of tension between the president and Congress.

Answer:

B. due to the checks and balances that are built into the separation of powers system