Unit 4 the political system.ppt

美国政治 Unit 4The Political System in the USA I. Articles of Confederation II. The US Constitution III. The Legislative Branch IV. The Executive Branch V. The Judicial Branch VI. Political Parties I. Articles of Confederation ratified in 1781 the constitution of the revolutionary wartime alliance of the thirteen United States of America the rules for operations of the United States confederation A confederation is a loose association of independent states that cooperate on specified matters. I. Articles of Confederation Failed because the states did not cooperate with the Congress or with each other They formed a new nation. II. The US Constitution The oldest written constitution in the world (drawn up in1787) 1. What role has the Constitution played? the basic instrument of American government the supreme law of the land. the basis for the evolution of governmental institutions and for political stability, economic growth and social progress in the US. II. The US Constitution 2. Four principles: 2.1 Republican A republican government is one in which people elect representatives to govern. 2.2. Federalism / The Federal system What is a federal system? It is a system of government in which power is divided by the written constitution between the federal (or central) government and the subordinate (state and local) governments. Each level of government is supreme within its sphere of authority with constitutional guarantee. 2.3. Separation of Powers It is the division of the law-making, law-enforcing, and law-interpreting powers among independent legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. There are three branches in the United States government as established by the Constitution. First, the Legislative branch makes the law. Second, the Executive branch executes the law. Last, the Judicial branch interprets the law. Each branch has an effect on the other. 2.4. Checks and Balances Each branch has part of the powers but not all the power. E