法律知识导读（英文）第五单元 Constitutional law.pptVIP

Unit 5 Constitutional law宪 法 宪法，是一个国家或地区的根本大法。美国宪法，是“国家的最高法律”，奠定了美国政治制度的法律基础。1787年5月，美国各州代表在费城召开制宪会议，同年9月通过了《美利坚合众国宪法》?1789年，美国宪法正式生效，后又附加了27条宪法修正案?美国宪法规定实行联邦制，肯定了以立法?行政?司法三权分立，相互制衡为原则的资产阶级民主共和政体?两百多年来，美国宪法的内容除通过宪法修正案的方式加以改变外，更重要的是通过联邦最高法院行使司法审查权，对联邦宪法作出解释，以及通过政党?总统和国会的活动所形成的宪法惯例来改变宪法的内容，以适应社会不断变化的需要?作为世界上第一部成文宪法，美国宪法也为以后许多国家宪法的制定提供了成功的范本? Lead-in Status: the supreme law of the United States; the foundation and source of the legal authority; the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government to the states and citizens. United States Constitution Contents It defines the three main branches of government and specifies the powers and duties of each branch. They are a legislature, in the form of a bicameral Congress; an executive branch led by the President; and a judicial branch headed by the Supreme Court. History It was adopted on September 17, 1787, by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and ratified by conventions in each U.S. state in the name of The People“; The Constitution has been amended twenty-seven times; The first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. Remarks It is the shortest and oldest written constitution still in use by any nation in the world today; The Constitution has a central place in United States law and political culture. The Constitution as supreme law Political ideas: The U.S. Constitution is the self designated supreme law of the land“. Final authority is vested in the American people, by amending the Constitution, or drafting a new one. The power of public officials is limited. American people express their will through the ballot box. (Article Ⅱ, Section 4) The President, Vice President, and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction