American_Political_System

1、Mount RushmoreCapitol BuildingThe White HouseSupreme Court BuildingPolitical SystemUS Political InstitutionsUS Political InstitutionsI. The US ConstitutionII. The Executive BranchIII. The Legislative BranchIV. The Judicial BranchV. Political PartiesAmerican ConstitutionAmerican Constitution The Cons

2、titution of 1787-the oldest written constitution in the worldThe US ConstitutionThe US Constitution Two Characteristics Federalism Separation of powers :checks and balancesFederalism Federalism means the division of the powers of government between the nation and the state. Each American is subject

3、to two governments: 1) the government of his state and 2) the government of the Union. The states have the primary functions of providing law and order, education, public health and most of the things, which concern day-to-day life. The federal government at Washington is concerned with foreign affa

4、irs and with matters of general concern to the states, including commerce between the states.The US ConstitutionThe US ConstitutionSeparation of powers: checks and balances Separation of Powers It refers to the principle that the national government is split into 3 branches: legislative, executive a

5、nd judicial. In the legislative branch, power is split further into 2 houses.Executive BranchPresidentLegislativeBranchCongressJudicialBranchSupremeCourtTHE CONSTITUTION OF THE U, S, 1787Article 1. Sec.1. All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which

6、 shall consist of a Senate and a House of RepresentativesArticle 2. Sec.1. The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.He shall hold his office during the Term of four yearsTHE CONSTITUTION OF THE U, S, 1787Article 3. Sec.1. The judicial power of the United Sta

7、tes, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.THE CONSTITUTION OF THE U, S, 1787checks and balancesSeparation of powers: checks and balances Checks and Balances Each branch has part of the powers but not all the powe

8、r. Each branch of government can check, or block, the actions of the other.The 3 branches are in balance. Checks and Balances Congress may pass a law, but the President can veto, or cancel it. Then Congress may pass the law again-this time by a 2/3 vote-and the president cannot veto it. But the law

9、may still be cancelled if the Supreme Court decides it unconstitutional. The Congress can impeach (sack) the president or a Supreme Court judgeChecks and BalancesChecks and BalancesExamplesExamplesArticle 4. The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amen

10、dments to this ConstitutionTHE CONSTITUTION OF THE U, S, 1787Amendment II A well regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.紀律嚴明的民兵是保障自由州的安全所必需的，人民持有和紀律嚴明的民兵是保障自由州的安全所必需的，人民持有和攜帶武器的權(quán)利不可侵犯。攜帶武器的權(quán)利不可侵犯。 The Th

11、ree Documents That Made AmericaPolitical Principles of the U.S. GovernmentThe separation of powersFederalismRespect for the constitution andthe rule of lawUS Federal GovernmentThe Legislative BranchThe Legislative Branch A Two-chamber (Bicameral) Congress the Senate (Upper House) 2 / states 6-year t

12、erms the Vice President the House of Representatives (Lower House) determined by population 2-year terms SpeakerQualifications SenatorsMembers of the House of RepresentativeUS Capitol Building Powers of the House and Senate Both Houses have the power to introduce legislation on any subject. The Sena

13、te has the authority to confirm presidential appointments of high officials as well as ratify all treaties.The House has power over revenue bills and brings charges of improper behavior of officials. The Legislative BranchThe Legislative Branch How a Bill Becomes a Law 1. A member of Congress introd

14、uces a bill 2. Committees review and vote on the bill Committees are made up of small groups of senators or representatives. The committee may reject the bill and “table” it, meaning it is never discussed again. Or it may hold hearings to listen to facts and opinions, make changes in the bill and ca

15、st votes. If most committee members vote in favor of the bill, it is sent back to the Senate and the House for debate. 3. The Senate and the House debate and vote on the bill Separately, the Senate and the House debate the bill, offer amendments and cast votes. If the bill is defeated in either the

16、Senate or the House, the bill dies. If a majority of both the Senate and the House votes for the bill, it goes to the President for approval. 4. The President signs the billor not If the President approves the bill and signs it, the bill becomes a law. However, if the President disapproves, he can v

17、eto the bill by refusing to sign it. Congress can try to overrule a veto. If both the Senate and the House pass the bill by a two-thirds majority, the Presidents veto is overruled and the bill becomes a law. How a Bill Becomes a Law The Legislative BranchThe Legislative Branch Legislative functions-

18、 The most central is the passage of laws First a bill is introduced; The bill is referred to a committee which studies it and issues a report to the House; The House debates the bill and votes for or against its passage; If passed, the bill, now called and “act”, is delivered to the Senate; If the S

19、enate approves, it will send to the President who may either sign it into law of veto it; If the President vetoed, Congress can override the veto by a 2/3 majority. The President delivers the annual State of the Union Address in the House chamber.The Executive BranchThe Executive Branch The Presiden

20、cyThe form of government in the US is described as the “presidential system”.The president is head of the executive branch, head of the state, and commander of the armed forces.The First Citizen The First LadyTwo successive four-years termsQualifications for a US President A natural-born American ci

21、tizen at least 35 years old. lived n the U.S. for 14 years before the election Candidates for the Presidency are chosen by political parties before the presidential electionExecutive powers issue rules, regulations and instructions, called executive orders. the Commander-in-chief of the armed forces

22、.Legislative powers issue bills and political orders veto any bill passed by Congress and, unless 2/3 in each house vote to override the veto, the bill does not become law.Presidential Powers Powers in foreign affairs relations with foreign nations. He appoints ambassadors and receives foreign ambas

23、sadors and other public officials. Judicial powers to give reprieves and pardons in federal criminal cases. offer a pardon to a group of people, an amnesty influence the judicial system by appointing federal judges and Supreme Court justicesPresidential PowersThe Executive Departments The President

24、The Cabinet The Vice-president 13 departments State Dept. Treasure Dept. Defense Dept. Justice Dept. The White HouseThe Judicial BranchThe Judicial Branch The structure:the Supreme Court, 11 courts of appeals, 91 district courts, 3 courts of special jurisdictionThe Jury system and common lawThe Supr

25、eme Courtthe only organ that has the power to interpret the Constitution.a Chief Justice and 8 Associate Justices Judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Impeached by the CongressOpening: 1st Mon. Oct. middle of June Interprets laws can hear appeals from any federal court

26、cases. to hear appeals from state court cases that involve the Constitution or national laws. may declare a law unconstitutional. may declare a presidential act unconstitutionalThe Supreme Court Two-party system Federalists vs. Democratic Republicans Whigs vs. Democrats the Republicans Vs. the Democ

27、ratsPolitical Parties There will always be two-party system in the United States simply because it works well to get two names on the ballot for every office.Political Parties Different views of the 2 parties On economic issuesthe Democrats favor government intervention the Republicans stress the ro

28、le of the market On social issues the Democrats support a strong social security systemthe Republicans oppose large governmental social security programs.Political Parties Electing President 1. Primary election (Feb.-June) 2. The major parties hold conventions to choose candidates for President to d

29、etermine the parties platforms 3.The campaigning stage radio, television, newspapers, and personal communications 4. Choose a slate of presidential electors who make up the Electoral College 5. Tuesday following the 1st Monday in November (Election day) NOT POPULAR VOTE BUT ELECTORAL VOTESElectoral college membership in the USElectoral CollegeThe electors of all 50 states and the District of Columbia (3 electors)-a total of 538 To be successful, a candidate for Presidency must receive at least 270 votes.If no c