AmericanPolitics
American Politics
1. US Constitution
Constitution—basic instrument law, drawn up in 1787, came into effect in 1789.
Two characters:
paration of powers, check and balances;
specified exactly what power the central government had and which power was rerved for the states.
1. US Constitution
Significance of the Constitution
Taking precedence over all state constitutions and laws, and over laws made by the cong
ress;
First of its kind in the world, it has inspired dozens of other countries to ek politic al reform.
What is federalism?
What is the paration of powers?
What are the qualifications for a US President?
How do you understand the power of American President?
2.1 The Federal Government
The Federal Government—the central government.
Three equal and parate branches：
The Executive branch
The Legislative branch
The Judicial branch
They are checked and balanced by one another.
2.1 The Federal Government
2.2 The executive branch
2.2.1 Departments & White Hou
The executive branch consists of 14 departments and many independent agenckill什么意思
ies；
Cabinet is formed by department heads—cretaries；
source of advice and assistance to the president
President is chief of the executive.
first citizen
his wife—First Lady
2.2.1 Departments & White Hou
2.2.2 Functions of The President
As Chief Executive, he is given the authority or duty:
to command the armed forces and grant pardons;
to make appointments to certain offices;
to conclude treaties;
to nd and receive diplomatic and consular officials;
to inform Congress on the “state of the Union”;
to recommend legislation, approve or veto bills pasd by Congress, and ensure the execution of laws.
2.2.2 Functions of The President
The president’s limits:
major appointments with approval of the Senate;
veto overridden by Congress with two-thirds connt of the Senators;
all appropriations legislated by Congress;
can be impeached by Congress if abusing power or committing crimes; no power to dismiss Congress;
his policy can be vetoed and abolished by The Supreme Court.
2.2.3 Qualifications of The President
Natural-born American citizen of and over 35 years-old;
Being resident within the US for at least 14 years;
Serve one or two successive terms of four years.
Franklin D. Roovelt—the only president who rved more than two successive terms. ?After World War II, Congress adopted an amendment lim环卫工作总结
iting a president to two successive terms only.
2.2.4 President and Scandal
2.2.4 President and Scandal
To defeat his adversary, Nixon hired five burglars to t up wiretaps to get confidential information in the Democratic National Committee offices;
It was expod and became the biggest political scandal in the history of America;
Becau of the pressure of public, Nixon was impeached and resigned in 1974.
What qualifications are prescribed for a Reprentative and a Senator?
What are the functions of the Congress? Briefly state the legislative process—how does a bill become law?
What do you know about the Judicial Branch and the Jury System?
2.3 The Legislative Branch
2.3.1 Congress
2.3.2 The Senate
100 voting members, two from each state;
They may be reelected for an unlimited number of six-year terms, chon by a direct election;
Qualifications for being a nator:
over 30 years old;
a US citizen for at least 9 years;
resident in the state from which he is elected.
2.3.3 The Hou of Reprentatives
435 voting members plus a non-voting reprentative from Puerto Rico, Guma and the District of Columbia;
State legislature divides each state into congressional districts, each district electing one Reprentative;
Qualifications for being a reprentative:
at least 25 years old;
a US citizen for no less than 7 years;
rve for a term of two years.
2.3.4 The Function of Congress
Function of Congress—passing laws for the Union;
Either hou may introduce legislation on any subject except the revenue bills which must originate in the Hou of Reprentatives.
2.3.4 The Function of Congress
The constituti宝宝盗汗
on is generous in its grant of powers to Congress;
Among the powers are：
the power to “spend and tax in order to provide for the common defen and general welfare of the United States”;
the power to borrow money;
the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among states;
the power to declare war, rai and support armies, and provide an贵族英语
d maintain a navy;
