The American System of Government

The governmental systems in the United States -federal, state, county, and local - are quite easy to understand. They are quite easy to understand, that is, if you grew up with them and studied them in school. There are several basic principles which are found at all levels of American govern­ment. One of these is the "one person, one vote" principle which says that legislators are elected from geographical districts directly by the voters. Under this principle, all election districts must have about the same number of residents.

Another fundamental principle of American government is that because of the system of checks and balances, compromise in politics is a matter of necessity, not choice. For example, the House of Representatives controls spending and finance, so the President must have its agreement for his proposals and programs. He cannot de­clare war, either, without the approval of Congress. In foreign affairs, he is also strongly limited. Any treaty must first be approved by the Senate. If there is no approval, there's no treaty. The rule is "the President proposes, but Congress disposes." What a President wants to do, therefore, is often a different thing from what a Presi­dent is able to do.

Congress

Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government, is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. There are 100 Senators, two from each state. One third of the Sena­tors are elected every two years for six-year terms of office. The Senators represent all of the people in a state and their interests.

The House has 435 members. They are elected every two years for two-year terms. They repre­sent the population of "congressional districts" into which each state is divided. The number of Representatives from each state is based upon its population. For instance, California, the state with the largest population, has Representa­tives, while Delaware has only one. There is no limit to the number of terms a Senator or a Rep­resentative may serve.

Almost all elections in the United States follow the "winner-take-all" principle: the candidate who wins the largest number of votes in a Con­gressional district is the winner.

Congress makes all laws, and each house of Congress has the power to introduce legislation. Each can also vote against legislation passed by the other. Because legislation only becomes law if both houses agree, compromise between them is necessary. Congress decides upon taxes and how money is spent. In addition, it regulates com­merce among the states and with foreign countries. It also sets rules for the naturalization of foreign citizens.

 

The President

The President of the United States is elected every four years to a four-year term of office, with no more than two full terms allowed. As is true with Senators and Representatives, the President is elected directly by the voters (through state elec­tors). In other words, the political party with the most Senators and Representatives does not choose the President. This means that the President can be from one party, and the majority of those in the House of Representatives or Senate (or both) from another. This is not uncommon.

Thus, although one of the parties may win a majority in the midterm elections (those held every two years), the President remains President, even though his party may not have a majority in either house. Such a result could easily hurt his ability to get legislation through Congress, which must pass all laws, but this is not necessarily so. In any case, the President's policies must be approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate before they can become law. In domestic as well as in foreign policy, the President can seldom count upon the automatic support of Congress, even when his own party has a majority in both the Senate and the House. Therefore he must be able to convince Congressmen, the Rep­resentatives and Senators, of his point of view. He must bargain and compromise. This is a major difference between the American system and those in which the nation's leader represents the majority party or parties, that is, parliamentary systems.

Within the Executive Branch, there are a number of executive departments. Currently these are the departments of State, Treasury, Defense, Jus­tice, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Resources, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy, and Education. Each department is established by law, and, as their names indicate, each is responsible for a specific area. The head of each department is appointed by the President. These appointments, however, must be approved by the Senate. None of these Secretaries, as the depart­ment heads are usually called, can also be serving in Congress or in another part of the government. Each is directly responsible to the President and only serves as long as the President wants him or her to. They can best be seen, therefore, as Presidential assistants and advisers. When they meet together, they are termed "the President's Cabinet." Some Presidents have relied quite a bit on their Cabinets for advice and some very little.

The Federal Judiciary

The third branch of government, in addition to the legislative (Congress) and executive (Presi­dent) branches, is the federal judiciary. Its main instrument is the Supreme Court, which watches over the other two branches. It determines whether or not their laws and acts are in accord­ance with the Constitution. Congress has the power to fix the number of judges sitting on the Court, but it cannot change the powers given to the Supreme Court by the Constitution itself. The Supreme Court consists of a chief justice and eight associate justices. They are nominated by the President but must be approved by the Senate. Once approved, they hold office as Supreme Court Justices for life. A decision of the Supreme Court cannot be appealed to any other court. Neither the President nor Congress can change their decisions. In addition to the Supreme Court, Congress has established 11 federal courts of appeal and, below them, 91 federal district courts.

The Supreme Court has direct jurisdiction in only two kinds of cases: those involving foreign diplomats and those in which a state is a party. All other cases which reach the Court are appeals from lower courts. The Supreme Court chooses which of these it will hear. Most of the cases involve the interpretation of the Constitution. The Supreme Court also has the "power of judi­cial review," that is, it has the right to declare laws and actions of the federal, state, and local govern­ments unconstitutional. While not stated in the Constitution, this power was established over time.

Checks and Balances

The Constitution provides for three main branches of government which are separate and, distinct from one another. The powers given to each are carefully balanced by the powers of the other two.

Each branch serves as a check on the others. This is to keep any branch from gaining too much power or from misusing its powers. The chart below illustrates how the equal branches of gov­ernment are connected and how each is depend­ent on the other two.

Congress has the power to make laws, but the President may veto any act of Congress. Congress, in its turn, can override a veto by a two-thirds vote in each house. Congress can also re­fuse to provide funds requested by the President. The President can appoint important officials of his administration, but they must be approved by the Senate. The President also has the power to name all federal judges; they, too, must be ap­proved by the Senate. The courts have the power to determine the constitutionality of all acts of Congress and of presidential actions, and to strike down those they find unconstitutional.

The system of checks and balances makes com­promise and consensus necessary.

Compromise is also a vital aspect of other levels of government in the United States. This system protects against extremes. It means, for example, that new presi­dents cannot radically change governmental policies just as they wish. In the U.S., therefore, when people think of "the government," they usually mean the entire system, that is, the Execu­tive Branch and the President, Congress, and the courts. In fact and in practice, therefore, the Presi­dent (i.e. "the Administration") is not as powerful as many people outside the U.S. seem to think he is. In comparison with other leaders in systems where the majority party forms "the govern­ment," he is much less so.

Political Parties

The Constitution says nothing about political parties, but over time the U.S. has in fact developed a two-party system. The two leading parties are the Democrats and the Republicans. There are other parties besides these two, and foreign observers are often surprised to learn that among these are also a Communist party and several Socialist parties. Minor parties have occasionally won of­fices at lower levels of government, but they do not play a role in national politics. In fact, one does not need to be a member of a political party to run in any election at any level of government. Also, people can simply declare themselves to be members of one of the two major parties when they register to vote in a district.

 

 

Sometimes, the Democrats are thought of as associated with labor, and the Republicans with business and industry. Republicans also tend to oppose the greater involvement of the federal government in some areas of public life which they consider to be the responsibility of the states and communities. Democrats, on the other hand, tend to favor a more active role of the central government in social matters.

To distinguish between the parties is often dif­ficult, however. Furthermore, the traditional European terms of "right" and "left," or "conserva­tive" and "liberal" do not quite fit the American system. Someone from the "conservative right," for instance, would be against a strong central government. Or a Democrat from one part of the country could be very "liberal," and one from another part quite "conservative." Even if they have been elected as Democrats or Republicans, Representatives or Senators are not bound to party program, nor are they subject to any disci­pline when they disagree with their party.

While some voters will vote a "straight ticket," in other words, for all of the Republican or Democratic candidates in an election, many do not. They vote for one party's candidate for one office, and another's for another. As a result, the political parties have much less actual power than they do in other nations.

In the U.S., the parties cannot win seats which they are then free to fill with party members they have chosen. Rather, both Representatives and Senators are elected to serve the interests of the people and the areas they represent, that is, their "constituencies." In about 70 percent of legisla­tive decisions, Congressmen will vote with the specific wishes of their constituencies in mind, even if this goes against what their own parties might want as national policy. It is quite common, in fact, to find Democrats in Congress voting for a Republican President's legislation, quite a few Republicans voting against it, and so on.

Elections

Anyone who is an American citizen, at least I8 years of age, and is registered to vote may vote. Each state has the right to determine registration procedures. A number of civic groups, such as the League of Women Voters, are actively trying to get more people involved in the electoral process and have drives to register as many people as possible. Voter registration and voting among minorities has dramatically increased during the last twenty years, especially as a result of the Civil Rights Movement.

There is some concern, however, about the number of citizens who could vote in national elections but do not actually did. Americans who want to vote must register, that is put down their names in a register before the actual elections take place. There are 50 different registration laws in the U.S. - one set for each state. In the South, voters often have to register not only locally but also at the county seat. In European countries, on the other hand, "perma­nent registration" of voters is most common. Another important factor is that there are many more elections in the U.S. at the state and local levels than there are in most countries. If the number of those who vote in these elections (deciding, for example, if they should pay more taxes so a new main street bridge can be built) were included, the percentage in fact would not be that much different from other countries. Certainly, Americans are much more interested in local politics than in those at the federal level. Many of the most important decisions, such as those concern­ing education, housing, taxes, and so on, are made close to home, in the state or county.

The national presidential elections really consist of two separate campaigns: one is for the nomination of candidates at national party con­ventions. The other is to win the actual election. The nominating race is a competition between members of the same party. They run in a succession of state primaries and caucuses (which take place between March and June). They hope to gain a majority of delegate votes for their national party conventions (in July or August). The party convention then votes to select the party's official candidate for the presidency. Then follow several months of presidential campaigns by the candi­dates.

 

In November of the election year the voters across the nation go to the polls. If the majority of the popular votes in a state go to the Presidential (and Vice-Presidential) candidate of one party, then that person is supposed to get all of that state's "electoral votes." These electoral votes are equal to the number of Senators and Representatives each state has in Congress. The candidate with the largest number of these elec­toral votes wins the election. Each state's electoral votes are formally reported by the "Electoral Col­lege." In January of the following year, in a joint session of Congress, the new President and Vice-President are officially announced.

EXERCISES:

I GIVE RUSSIAN EQUIVALENTS TO THE FOLLOWING:

 

To turn into reality dreams and ideals; to break with an age-old tradition; to specify the powers and duties; to operate within some guidelines; to manage one’s own liberties and rights; to petition to government to correct wrongs; to control spending and finance; to follow the principle; to set rules for; to get legislation through Congress; to count upon automatic support; to declare laws and actions; to misuse one’s power; to override a veto; to strike down presidential actions; to protect against extremes; to determine registration procedures; to go to the poll; to expand federal responsibilities.

II MATCH THE VERBS IN A WITH THE NOUN PHRASES IN B TO MAKE EXPRESSIONS:

A                                             B

1 to choose                         a) the powers

2 to operate                       b) the people

3 to belong                        c) the Constitution

4 to amend                        d) one’s own form of government

5 to serve                           e) under the agreement

6 to follow                        f) the House of Representatives

7 to declare                       g) legislation

8 to introduce                               h) to the state

9 to be approved by          i) war

10 to give                          j) the rules

III LOOK THROUGH THE TEXT AGAIN AND SAY WHO:

1 Came together, stood up, and told what was then the world's greatest power that from now on they would be free and independent ?

2 Wrote a completely new document, the Constitution, which after much argument, debate, and com­promise was finished in the same year and offi­cially adopted by 1790?

3 Controls spending and finance?

4 Can override a veto of a President by a two-thirds vote in each house?

5 Expects their governments to serve them and tends to think of politicians and governmental officials as their servants?

6 Decides upon taxes and how money is spent, regulates com­merce among the states and with foreign countries and sets rules for the naturalization of foreign citizens?

7 Cannot radically change governmental policies just as they wish?

8 Has the power to determine the constitutionality of all acts of Congress and of presidential actions, and to strike down those they find unconstitutional?

9 Represents the population of "congressional districts" into which each state is divided?

10 Tends to favor a more active role of the central government in social matters?

IV QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:

1 When and under what circumstances did British colonies decide to found a new republic?

2What was radical and revolutionary about the new state?

3 What was the fist document manifested by the new government?

4 Why did the delegates from the former republics meet in Philadelphia on 1787?

5 What did the new Constitution set?

6 Whom did the ultimate power in the state belong to?

7 What did the Bill of Rights proclaim?

8 What are the basic principles the American system of Government is based upon?

9 What is the Congress made up of?

10 What are the powers of Congress?

11 How is the President elected in the USA?

12 In what way are powers of President limited?

13 Why does President have to bargain and compromise?

14WWhat does the President’s Cabinet comprise?

15What is the main instrument of the federal judiciary?

16 What does Supreme Court consist of?

17 What is the jurisdiction of Supreme Court?

18 How are the powers of each branch of American Government balanced?

19 What is the main idea of the principle of Checks and Balances?

20What are two leading parties in the USA?

21 What are Democrats and Republicans associated with?

22Why doesn’t traditional division of parties into ”right” and ” left” fit an American system?

23 What do you think is the basic difference between American and Russian political parties?

24 When are American citizens eligible to vote?

25 What is the structure of electoral campaigns in the USA?

26 What are the basic structural features which are shared by the governments of all states?

27 What are the authorities of the local governments?

 

V SAY WHETHER THESE STATEMENTS ARE TRUE OR FALSE:

 

1 The Constitution of the USA has never been rewritten, it has been numerously amended.

2 The Ultimate power under the Constitution is given to the President of the United States.

3 A deep respect for the Constitution of the country comes from the knowledge that freedoms and rights were not given to Americans by a small ruling class, but had been fought for and won.

4 One of the fundamental principles of American government is that because of the system of checks and balances, compromise in politics is a matter of necessity, not choice.

5 In domestic as well as in foreign policy, the President’s decision is always assured by the automatic support of Congress.

6 The national presidential elections really consist of two separate campaigns: one is for the nomination of candidates at national party con­ventions,the other is to win the actual election

7 The traditional European terms of "right" and "left," or "conserva­tive" and "liberal" can be applied to the American party system.

8 The number of Representatives from each state is fixed and is not related to the population of these state.

9 Legislation becomes law with the consent of both houses of Parliament, compromise between them is necessary.

10 Chief justice and eight associate justices are nominated by the President , the approval of the Senate is not necessary.

VI TRANASLATE INTO ENGLISH:

1 Согласно конституции главой государства, исполнительной власти и главнокомандующим вооруженными силами США является президент, избираемый на четыре года.

2 Выборы президента происходят в високосный год: сначала по штатам избираются выборщики, которые затем в первый понедельник ноября выбирают по единому списку президента и вице-президента.

3 Первым президентом США был избран Джордж Вашингтон , возглавлявший страну в течение двух президентских сроков.

4 Столица США -Вашингтон расположен по обоим берегам нижнего течения реки Потомак и является важным научным и культурным центром.

5 Внешний облик и жизнь Вашингтона подчинены его административно-политическому назначению. Здесь находится резиденция президента США ( Белый Дом), здание Конгресса (Капитолий), федеральные министерства, посольства.

VII STUDY THE CHART GIVEN BELOW AND LOOK FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRESIDENTS OF THE USA.

 

⇐ Предыдущая12345678910Следующая ⇒

Поделиться: