American Government

American Government

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HistoryThe outline of the government of the United States is laid out in theConstitution. The government was formed in 1789, making the United States one of the world's first, if not the first, modern nationalconstitutional republics.

History (cont.)The United States government is based on the principle of federalism, in which power is shared between the federal government and state governments. The details of American federalism, including what powers the federal government should have and how those powers can be exercised, have been debated ever since the adoption of the Constitution.

History (cont.)The government of the United States is based on awritten constitution, the shortest in the world in fact. This constitution consists of a Preamble, seven Articles, and 27 Amendments. From this document, the entire federal government was created. It is a living document whose interpretation has changed over time.The amendment processis such that while not easily amended, US citizens are able to make necessary changes over time.

Three Branches of GovernmentThe Constitution created three separate branches of government. Each branch has its own powers and areas of influence. At the same time, the Constitution created a system ofchecks and balancesthat ensured no one branch would reign supreme. The three branches are:

CongressHouse of RepresentativePresidentVice PresidentSenate

Supreme CourtCONSTITUTION

Legislative Branch

Legislative BranchThis branch consists of the Congress which is responsible for making thefederal laws. Congress consists of two houses: the Senate and theHouse of Representatives.

Legislative Branch (cont.)House of RepresentativesThe House currently consists of 435 voting members, each of whom represents acongressional district. The number of representatives each state has in the House is based on each state's population as determined in the most recent United States Census.

Legislative Branch (cont.)SenateIn contrast, the Senate is made up of two senators from each state, regardless of population. There are currently 100 senators (two from each of the 50 states), who each serve six-year terms. Approximately one third of the Senate stands for election every two years.

Executive Branch

Executive BranchTheExecutive power lies with thePresident of the United States who is given the job of executing, enforcing, and administering the laws and government. The Bureaucracy is part of theExecutive Branch.

Executive Branch (cont.)PresidentThe executive branch consists of the President and those to whom the President's powers are delegated. The President is both thehead of stateandgovernment, as well as the militarycommander-in-chiefand chiefdiplomat.

Executive Branch (cont.)Vice PresidentThe Vice President is the second-highest executive official in rank of the government. As first in theU.S. presidential line of succession, the Vice President becomes President upon the death, resignation, or removal of the President, which has happenednine timesin U.S. history. Under the Constitution, the Vice President isPresident of the Senate.

Judicial Branch

Judicial BranchThe judicial power of the United States is vested in the Supreme Court and thefederal courts. Their job is to interpret and apply US laws through cases brought before them. Another important power of theSupreme Courtis that ofJudicial Reviewwhereby they can rule laws unconstitutional.

Judicial Branch (cont.)Supreme Court adjudicates "cases and controversies"matters pertaining to the federal government, disputes between states, and interpretation of the United States Constitution, and, in general, can declare legislation or executive action made at any level of the government asunconstitutional, nullifying the law and creatingprecedentfor future law and decisions.

Six Foundational PrinciplesPopular Sovereignty- This principle states that the source of governmental power lies with the people.Limited Government- Since the people give government its power, government itself is limited to the power given to it by them.Separation of Powers- As stated previously, theUS Governmentis divided into three branches so that no one branch has all the power.

Six Foundational Principles (cont.)Checks and Balances- In order to further protect the citizens, the constitution set up a system of checks and balances.Judicial Review- This is a power that allows the Supreme Court to decide whether acts and laws are unconstitutional.Federalism- One of the most complicated foundations of the US is the principle of federalism.

Political ProcessWhile theConstitutionsets up the system of government, the actual way in which the offices of Congress and the Presidency are filled are based upon the American political system. Many countries have numerouspolitical parties(groups of people who join together to try and win political office and thereby control the government) but the US exists under a two-party system.

ElectionsElectionsoccur in the United States at all levels including local, state, and federal. There are numerous differences from locality to locality and state to state. Even when determining the presidency, there is some variation with how theelectoral collegeis determined from state to state.

Checks and Balances of the Legislative BranchMay overridepresidential vetoeswith a two-thirds voteHas the power over the purse strings to actually fund any executive actionsMay remove the president through impeachmentSenate approves treatiesSenate approvespresidential appointments

Checks and Balances of the Executive BranchVeto powerAbility to call special sessions of CongressCan recommend legislationCan appeal to the people concerning legislation and more

Checks and Balances of the Judicial BranchJudges, once appointed for life, are free from controls from the executive branchCourts can judgeexecutive actionsto be unconstitutional through the power ofjudicial review.

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