The American The American Political SystemPolitical System

BackgroundBackground

►The Declaration of Independence 1776The Declaration of Independence 1776►The War of Independence 1776-1783The War of Independence 1776-1783►The American Constitution 1789The American Constitution 1789►Federal government and state govmts.Federal government and state govmts.►Division of powerDivision of power►Checks and balancesChecks and balances

State and Federal SystemState and Federal System► Historically state and local government came first.Historically state and local government came first.► The states have their own legislative, executive and judicial The states have their own legislative, executive and judicial

institutionsinstitutions► State and local government control important areas like: State and local government control important areas like:

HighwaysHighways State income taxState income tax Public schools and universitiesPublic schools and universities Police and fire departmentsPolice and fire departments Regulate business and supervise commercial affairsRegulate business and supervise commercial affairs

► The Federal system of government controls: The Federal system of government controls: Foreign policy, defense and monetary policyForeign policy, defense and monetary policy Areas that cannot be regulated locally and statewise: interstate Areas that cannot be regulated locally and statewise: interstate

commerce, interstate crime, interstate environmental problems commerce, interstate crime, interstate environmental problems etc.etc.

The Legislative Branch: The Legislative Branch: Congress Congress Passes legislation and Passes legislation and

appropriates moneyappropriates money► The House of The House of

RepresentativesRepresentatives► 435 members –435 members –

according to the according to the size of the state size of the state

► 2-year term2-year term

► The SenateThe Senate► 100 members -two 100 members -two

from each statefrom each state► 6-year term6-year term

The Executive Branch: The The Executive Branch: The PresidencyPresidency

►4-year term - max two 4-year terms4-year term - max two 4-year terms►Protects the ConstitutionProtects the Constitution►Proposes legislationProposes legislation►Enforces the laws made by CongressEnforces the laws made by Congress►Commander in Chief of the armed Commander in Chief of the armed

forcesforces►Appoints judges to Supreme Court Appoints judges to Supreme Court

(with the consent of the Senate)(with the consent of the Senate)

The Supreme CourtThe Supreme Court

►9 members9 members►Life term appointmentLife term appointment► Interprets and guards the ConstitutionInterprets and guards the Constitution► Interprets the lawInterprets the law►Decisions of the Supreme Court are Decisions of the Supreme Court are

finalfinal► In general it plays a conservative role, In general it plays a conservative role,

maintaining legal traditionmaintaining legal tradition

Checks and BalancesChecks and BalancesCongress:Power of the purseCan override presidential veto(2/3 majority)Power of impeachmentSenate approves treaties and the president’s appointments

Supreme Court:Power to declare laws and presidential actionsunconstitutional

The President:Power to vetoIssues executive ordersCommander-in-chiefAppoints Federal JudgesGrants Pardons for offenses against the US