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1、US Political System,The Basis,The government of the United States is based on a written constitution, which is the shortest in the world. From this document, the entire federal government was created. It is a living document whose interpretation has changed over time. When necessary, US citizens are
2、 able to make amendments to the constitution.,Bill of Rights,The Bill of Rights consists of the ten amendments added to the Constitution in 1791. The English Bill of Rights (1689) was an inspiration for the American Bill of Rights. Both require jury trials, include a right to keep and bear arms, and
3、 forbid “cruel and unusual punishments.“,Seven Articles,The seven articles of the constitution cover the following areas: Legislative power Executive power Judicial power States powers and limits Amendments Federal power Ratification,Legislative Power,Article One describes the Congress, the legislat
4、ive branch of the federal government. This has two co-equal houses: the House of Representatives to represent the people, and the Senate to represent the States. This is known as Representative Democracy.,Executive Power,Article two creates the presidency. Executive power is vested in a President. T
5、he presidential term is fixed at four years. A President can only serve for two terms. The method of electing the President is set out in the Twelfth Amendment.,Judicial Power,Article Three describes the court system (the judicial branch. The article establishes the Supreme Court.Congress can create
6、 lower courts, whose judgments and orders can be reviewed by the Supreme Court. Article Three also creates the right to trial by jury in all criminal cases and defines the crime of treason.,States Powers & Limitations,Article Four describes the relationship between the states and the federal governm
7、ent and between the states themselves. State governments cannot discriminate against citizens of other states in favour of their own citizens. It also lays down a legal basis for freedom of movement and travel between the different states.,Amendments,Article Five sets out the different ways in which
8、 Amendments can be made. Any new amendment may be approved by two-thirds of both houses of Congress, then sent to the states for approval. To be adopted it must be approval by three-quarters of the states. No amendment may deprive a state of equal representation in the Senate, without that states co
9、nsent.,Federal Power,Article Six establishes the Constitution, and the laws and treaties of the United States made according to it, to be the supreme law of the land,. All federal and state legislators, officers, and judges must swear to support the Constitution. The constitutions and laws of any st
10、ate must not conflict with the laws of the federal constitution.,Ratification,Article Seven sets forth the requirements for ratification of the Constitution. The Constitution would not take effect until at least nine of the original states had ratified the Constitution in state conventions specially
11、 convened for that purpose, and it would only apply to those states that ratified it.,Successful Amendments,The Constitution has twenty-seven amendments. The first ten, collectively known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified simultaneously by 1791. The following seventeen were ratified separately ov
12、er the next two centuries.,First Amendment,This addresses the rights of freedom of religion. Congress cannot establish a State Religion. It also protects freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom of petition.,Second Amendment,This guarantees the right of individuals t
13、o carry firearms.,Fifth Amendment,This deals with criminal trials.Nobody can be punished punishment without due process of law. An accused person may not be compelled to testify against himself. It also prohibits government from taking private property for public use without “just compensation.“,Sep
14、aration of Powers,At the heart of the Constitution is the principle known as separation of powers. This means that power is spread between the three branches: the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. No single branch has too much power and no individual can be a member of more than one bran
15、ch. This is also known as checks and balances.,Terms of Office,The President has a term of 4 years. Members of the Senate serve for 6 years. Members of the House of Representatives serve for 2 years. Members of the Supreme Court effectively serve for life.,Benefits & Weaknesses,The great benefit of
16、this system is that power is spread and counter-balanced. The great weakness of the system is that it makes government slow and complicated which is a huge disadvantage in a world of fast-moving political and economic developments.,Legislative Branch,The Legislative branch has two houses; the House of Representatives, and the Senate. Either house can make laws and the President can also propose new laws. The senate and the House are both elected.,House of Representatives,
