Week One Discussion Questions Daily Question 1 What are the three branches of government and their functions?

? How are powers balanced in the U.S. government? How does each branch of government make laws? Provide examples. There are three branches to the United States government. These are the xecutive! "egislative! and #udicial branches $%elvin! &'((). The "egislative branch of the government is made up of the *+, -epresentatives and ('' Senators. These are also known as the members of congress. .ongress writes laws and bills. /or instance the Sarbanes01xle2 3ct of &''& was created b2 a congressional committee in response to the corporate financial records issues of a few corporations. These bills are then submitted to the Senators and -epresentatives that make up congress. The bill is then sent to the xecutive branch $the President)! who can veto or sign the bill into law $%elvin! &'((). The "egislative branch also has the authorit2 to override the President with a superma4orit2 vote $%elvin! &'((). The #udicial branch of government interprets and enforces the laws via the court s2stem. The #udicial branch has the authorit2 to declare a law unconstitutional thereb2 invalidating the law $%elvin! &'(().

Reference Melvin, S. P. (2011). The legal environment of business: A managerial approach: Theory to practice. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/ rwin.

Daily Question 2 What are some examples of alternative dispute resolutions $35-s)? What are the advantages and disadvantages associated with 35- versus litigation? What are some examples of arbitration that can occur in 2our professional and personal life? xplain. 3lternate 5ispute -esolution $35-) is a wa2 to settle disputes outside of the court s2stem $%elvin! &'((). Third parties are used to facilitate an agreement to a dispute to resolve problems or disagreements. Three of the most common forms of 35- techni6ues are7 arbitration! expert evaluation! and mediation $%elvin! &'((). Some of the benefits of using 35- techni6ues instead of the court s2stem are reduction in cost! time! and business relationship salvage $%elvin! &'((). 82 coming to an agreement via 35techni6ues the parties do not spend the excess mone2 needed for long drawn out court battles. There is also the benefit of maintaining the business relationship b2 coming to an agreement without the need for 4udicial proceedings. The ma4or disadvantage to using an 35- techni6ue is the2 are not binding and a court proceeding ma2 still be an issue in the future $%elvin! &'((). 35- techni6ues are useful in man2 professional and personal situations that could re6uire court proceedings but the parties involved feel a resolution is possible without it. 5ivorce is one of the most common examples.

Reference Melvin, S. P. (2011). The legal environment of business: A managerial approach: Theory to practice. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/ rwin.