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  1. starter activity "The English Constitution, in a word, is framed on the principle of choosing a single sovereign authority, and making it good: the American, upon the principle of having many sovereign authorities, and hoping that the multitude may atone for their inferiority." - Walter Bagehot “What does this Mean”?

  2. What are the roles of the different elements of the US Government? To examine the structure of the American Political System. To understand the strengths & weaknesses of the US political system.

  3. Structure based on the French Enlightenment idea of “Separation of Powers” What are the roles of the different elements of the US Government? Constitution Bill of Rights Legislative Executive Judicial Congress President Supreme Court Checks & Balances Examples

  4. Constitution • The Supreme Law of the USA What are the roles of the different elements of the US Government? • Inspired by Montesquieu, John Locke and the British Constitutional Monarchy. • Defines the various branches of the Federal US Government and what their powers are. • Defines the limits of Federal and State Governments • Can be amended if 2/3 of Congress approve and ¾ of States agree.

  5. Bill of Rights • The 1st 10 amendments to the Constitution. What are the roles of the different elements of the US Government? • Inspired by John Locke, the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the English Bill of Rights 1689 • Ensures freedom of the Press, Speech, Religion, Assembly. • Ensures right to bear arms, trial by jury, public trial, legal counsel. • Prevents cruel & unusual punishment, double jeopardy, self-incrimination.

  6. Legislative • Article 1 of the Constitution. What are the roles of the different elements of the US Government? “All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.” – Places power of Govt primarily in Congress. • Constitution does not allow amendments to this Article.

  7. Congress • Based in the Capitol Building What are the roles of the different elements of the US Government? • Bicameral Legislature, made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives • Power over financial matters, inc taxes. • Exclusive power to declare war, raise an army etc. • Power to oversee and investigate the Executive branch, including impeachment and removal. Senate • Any bill requires approval of BOTH houses to become law House of Representatives

  8. Senate • Upper house of Congress. What are the roles of the different elements of the US Government? • Each state has 2 senators, regardless of population. • Senators serve staggered terms of 6 years each. • Power to ratify treaties, oversee and agreeing to appointments of federal officials. • Tries all impeachments.

  9. House of Representatives • Lower house of Congress What are the roles of the different elements of the US Government? • Representation by state related to population, but all have at least one out of 435. • Each serves for a 2 year term. • Exclusive power over initiating financial legislation • Exclusive power to impeach officials. • Exclusive power to elect the president in the event of a electoral deadlock.

  10. Executive • Article 2 of the Constitution places executive power in the President and his delegates. What are the roles of the different elements of the US Government? • The President is head of state and must "take care that the laws be faithfully executed." • Executive branch of government numbers 4 million people, including 1 million in the military. President Vice President

  11. The President • Based in the White House What are the roles of the different elements of the US Government? • Military commander-in-chief, chief diplomat. • Can sign into law legislation passed by Congress, or veto it. Congress can overrule veto with 2/3 majority. • Power to pardon or release criminals convicted of crimes v the federal government. • No powers to dissolve Congress or call elections • Max 8 years in office (2 elections)

  12. The Vice President • Second in command to the President. What are the roles of the different elements of the US Government? • Takes over in case of death, resignation or removal of the President (has happened 9 times). • Also President of the Senate, responsible for breaking deadlocks.

  13. Judicial • Article 3 of the Constitution places judicial power in “one supreme court” and subsidiary courts as created by Congress. What are the roles of the different elements of the US Government? • Trial by jury in all cases except impeachment, which is tried in the Senate. • Deals primarily with cases relating to the constitution, treaties and appeals against laws. • Also settles disputes between states Supreme Court

  14. The Supreme Court What are the roles of the different elements of the US Government? • 1 Chief Justice and 8 Associate Justices, all appointed by the president. • All remain in post for life, unless impeached etc. • Mainly deals with appeals, but has limited capacity to deal with original cases, eg state disputes etc.

  15. Checks & Balances • President-Congress relationship supposed to match English Monarchy-Parliament relationship. • Congress can impeach Executive or Judicial officials What are the roles of the different elements of the US Government? • Congress has sole power to wage war, but President commands. • President can propose legislation, but needs support within Congress to get it discussed. • Supreme Court decides if actions of the President/Congress are constitutional. • President selects heads of federal agencies and Supreme Court Justices. • President can veto congress. Congress can overturn veto with 2/3 majority. Examples

  16. Examples • Three branches in theory should be equal. • In practice, the President has been subordinate to Congress (esp after Andrew Johnson), and then Congress subordinate to the President (esp in 20th Century). • Judicial branch has very much been the weaker strand. What are the roles of the different elements of the US Government? Perjury Veto

  17. Perjury • The President is accused of lying in court (Perjury) and obstruction. What are the roles of the different elements of the US Government? • The House of Representatives is hostile and believes the accusations, drawing up articles of impeachment. The vote is 228-206. • The Senate tries the President, with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court as judge, Senate as Jury. • Evidence is heard from witnesses, including the President. • Once all evidence has been submitted, the Senate votes. • Perjury – 55 not guilty, 45 guilty • Obstruction – 50/50 split. • As 2/3 majority needed, the President remains in Office.

  18. Veto • The House of Representatives proposes a Bill to allow federal funding for stem cell research. The vote is 238 – 194 in favour. What are the roles of the different elements of the US Government? • The Senate then votes. It too passes the Bill, 63 – 37 in favour. • The Bill then goes to the President for signature to become Law. • The President is morally opposed to stem cell research and so chooses to use his presidential veto. • The Bill is then returned to the House of Representatives, who must vote again. They need a 2/3 majority to override the President. • The vote is 235 – 193 in favour, not enough to override the veto. 286 were needed. The President is successful in preventing the bill becoming law. Stem Cell Veto

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