美国政治体系.ppt

US Political System Checks and Balances Constitution, 1787 US operated almost as 13 separate states – Congress had no legal or tax-raising power 1787 – delegates met to create a constitution, balancing states’ rights v. the central government Compromise – Senate (representing states); House of Representatives (reflects population size) Election systems initially decided by the states Three federal branches: executive, judicial, legislative (president, congress, supreme court) Designed to divide power and prevent ‘tyranny’ Bill of Rights, 1791. Aim: to limit government power. Based on Magna Carta (1215), the British Bill of Rights (1689) and the philosophy of John Locke. First Amendment – Freedom of speech, press, religion, peaceable assembly, and to petition the government Second Amendment – Right to keep and bear arms. Eighth Amendment – Prohibition of excessive bail, as well as ‘cruel and unusual’ punishment Three Branches Congress (Legislative Branch) The Senate – 2 senators per state; 6 year term. House of Representatives – 435 members; two year terms. Elections every 2 years. Both houses must pass a law before it is approved by the President. British-style electoral system (‘first past the post’) The Presidency (Executive Branch) Four year term (2 term maximum.) Can propose and veto laws (but cannot make them) Appoints Supreme Court judges (though Congress must approve) Appoints cabinet ministers Conducts foreign policy The Supreme Court (Judicial Branch) Nine judges, appointed for by the President for life. Can strike down laws that are considered ‘unconstitutional’ e.g. anti-abortion law (Row v. Wade, 1973), Guantanamo Bay, etc Political Parties ‘First past the post’ system benefits the two main parties Primaries – party members select their candidate Voting patterns Legal Cheating? ‘Gerrymandering’ – changing electoral boundaries to gain political advantage. (Not illegal, unless racial) Favours the status quo. (Unlike other countries, the US doe