Chapter2Section0304美国概况-AmericanGovernmentandPolitics.ppt

Chapter2 Section0304 美国概况-American Government and Politics Political Theory and Government Principles John Jocke, English philosopher “divine right of people and sovereignty resides with people” FOUR Principles: Sovereignty resides with people Government with limited power Checks and balances—2 levels and 3 branches. Free exchange of opinions.  The three branches theExecutive, headed by the president; TheLegislative, including both houses of Congress (the Senate and the House of Representative) and theJudicial, headed by the Supreme Court The powers given to the federal government: Laid down in the constitution. the right to manage foreign affairs, raise and maintain armed forces, issue currency, collect taxes, to regulate commerce between the states, to maintain a postal system. regulate foreign trade, declare war and conclude peace. state government -p203 Each state government may also tax and borrow money, control education, regulate corporations and business, determine election procedures, and regulate local governments. ·The functions of the U.S. Congress: 1) Defense and foreign affairs. Citizenship and naturalization.? 2) The regulation of commerce with foreign countries and among the states.? 3) The power to collect taxes to pay debts, to provide for the common defense and general welfare. 4) The Chief Function is to: Make laws. Section 4 p196 The Executive Branch The executive branch consists of 15 departments and many independent agencies. ----p196 ·The president, chief executive, the most important figure of the government: 1). The head of the government. 2). Negotiates foreign treaties. 3). Appoints government officials, ambassadors, judges and department heads. 4). Commands the armed forces. 5). Sends and receives diplomatic officials. 6). Sees to it that laws are carried out. 7). The leader of his political party. 8). Submits a “State of the Union Message(国情咨文 )”, budget message. 9). Introduces legislative bills into Congress. Election a