1 / 15

Democracy in the USA

Democracy in the USA. What is it based on?. Congressional or Presidential Democracy (Key Term: Checks and balances ) – everything that occurs in the US must be ratified by another institution of the government – examples?

risa
Download Presentation

Democracy in the USA

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Democracy in the USA

  2. What is it based on? • Congressional or Presidential Democracy • (Key Term: Checks and balances) – everything that occurs in the US must be ratified by another institution of the government – examples? • USA -a republic (all representatives are elected; no hereditary leaders) – WHY?

  3. Montesquieu • power clearly divided/separated among the three branches so that no one can be too powerful and have too much control over the entire government (Canada's branches are not so separate ) • WHY?

  4. Democrats - principles • Environmentalism • Social (Modern liberalism • Enhanced freedoms • universal health care • Strong support from youth, working class, African Americans • Support unions • Forward thinking in science (stem cell research) • Gun control

  5. Famous Democrats

  6. Republicans - principles • Free market economics • Fiscal conservatives • Increase personal responsibility over welfare • Free market economics • Fiscal conservatives • Increase personal responsibility over welfare • Conservative -issues? • Advocate greater powers at the state level • Pro life (generally) • Greater support from business, educated middle class, white families, older citizens • Criticized for limited individual freedoms-Patriot Act, Guantanamo Bay Prison • Right to bear arms • Conservative -issues? • Advocate greater powers at the state level • Pro life (generally) • Greater support from business, educated middle class, white families, older citizens • Criticized for limited individual freedoms-Patriot Act, Guantanamo Bay Prison • Right to bear arms

  7. Famous Republicans

  8. Legislative Branch - Congress • representatives from each state -ensures the regions [States] have a strong voice in the legislature of the Federal government • 2 houses: Senate and House of Representatives - where bills are passed into law (if signed by President) • both houses can initiate money matter bills • weak party discipline -voting in Congress does not follow partylines, because there is no responsible government and no votes of confidence (this frees reps to vote for the best interests of their state) • President is responsible for operations of government, but must rely on Congress for funding ($$) needed to operate government

  9. Senate • different from Canada; powerful and effective(can be stronger than H.O.R.) • two Senators per state (=100), thus each state is equal here – WHO BENEFITS? • term of office one third elected every year (thus more stable than House of Representatives) WHY?

  10. House of Representatives • Representation by population ( 435 members ) • Representatives/Congressmen elected for 2 years • Laws-must be approved by both houses – deadlock • Large states rule

  11. Congressional Districts

  12. Executive Branch • not a part of the legislative branch; unlike Canada) • President • Chief Executive Officer of USA; Head of State, Head of Government • not a member of Congress (therefore, not responsible to it) • term: 4 years • re-election – once • Veto • What is the President’s job?

  13. Cabinet • appointed by President • not members of Congress (thus not responsible to it); are not elected • proposes legislation to President • similar function to Canada's Cabinet • Who can be a member of the cabinet? • Experts versus decision makers – BETTER?

  14. Judicial Branch • interprets government law and determines its constitutionality (its “fit" with the Constitution) • Supreme Court - 9 members appointed for life – very similar to Canada • Challenges?

  15. Checks and Balances

More Related