The USA is a federal union of 50 states. The basic law is the constitution,
adopted in 1787, which prescribes the structure of national government and
lists its rights and fields of authority. Each state has its government and
all of them have the dual character of both Federal and State government.
The political system of the USA is divided into three branches: judicial,
legislative and executive. Each branch holds a certain degree of power over
the others, and all take part in the governmental process.
The flag. It is called the stars and the stripes and old glory. It was
adopted in 1777. The red stripes proclaim courage, the white - liberty, and
the field of blue stands for loyalty.
The coat of arms. The coat of arms of the US represents an eagle with wings
outspread, holding a bangle of rods (the symbol of administer) in the left
claw and olive twig (the emblem of love) in the right claw. The motto of
the coat of arms is 'one out of many" (aplinibus nun).
The nick name. It was in 1812 when the nickname of the US government "Uncle
Sam" appeared. 'Uncle' Samuel Wilson supplied beef to the American army,
during the war of 1812, standing his barrels with the letters 'U. S.’ The
army as ‘Uncle Sam’s’ knew this beef, and later on this familiar name
became associated with the US government.
The constitution of the USA. Although the American system of government is
based on Great Britain's, it differs in having a written constitution, that
is the bases of all government and law. The constitution of the US was
adopted after the War of Independence on the 17th of September 1787. It
lists the set of rules, law regulations, which provide the practical norms,
regulating the work of the government. The document imbodied the practical
theories of man of property. The main principle underline the constitution
was as follows: "Private property is the backbone of liberty". It was put
forward by a rich plantation owner from Virginia James Madison, who is
known to be a father of the constitution.
The constitution consists of Preamble and seven articles. 27 amendments
have so far been added to its original text. The first 10 amendments, known
as "the Bill of Rights', were added in a group in 1791. These amendments
establish the individual rights and freedoms to all people of the states,
including freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of worship etc.
Americans fill that of all freedoms, proclaimed in the constitution, there
is only one freedom - the freedom of enterprise. But it means freedom of
the wealthy people only. The 21st amendment limited the President's ruling
by maximum two terms.
The legislative branch. Supreme legislative power in the American
government lies with Congress: the Senate, the upper house; and the House
of the Representatives - the Lower House. Each state has its own government
- State Assemblies or, Legislatures with two houses. According to the
constitution of the USA, all citizens of both sexes over 18 years of age
has a right of voting, but in reality the number of voters is much smaller.
The main task of Congress is to make federal laws, to levy federal taxes,
to make rules for trade, to corn money, to organise Armed forces, to
declare war, to make amendments to the constitution or put foreign treaties
into effect.
Under the constitution the US Senate has some special powers, not given
to the House of representatives. It approves or disapproves the main
presidential appointments: Ambassadors. Cabinet Members and federal judges;
also ratify by a 2/3 vote treatments between the USA and foreign countries.
The House of Representatives has a special power of its own - to invent a
bill to raise money. The Senate is composed of 100 members - two from each of 50 states, who
are elected for a term of * years. Although congressional elections take
place every two years, only 1/3 of the Senate is reelected. A Senator must
be at least 30ty years old, a citizen of the USA for 9 years and a resident
of the state from which he is elected. Democrats sit in the western part of
the chamber - on Vice-president right. Republicans sit on his left. Vice-
president presides over the Senate and conducts debates. The Senate is
stable and more conservative than the House of Representatives and many
Senators are more experienced politicians.
The House of representatives has 450 members. The number of
Representatives depends on the population of each state. A Representative
must be at least 25 years age, a US citizen for 7 years and live in the
state from which he is elected. Democrats sit on the Speakers right,
republicans - on his left. The Speaker presides over the House and conducts
debates. The Speaker, like Vice-president, may vote. Most of the
Congressmen are layers, businessman and bankers. The American press as an
unrepresentative institution sometimes criticises the US Congress.
The Congress in work. A new Congress session begins on the 3rd of January
each odd number year and continues for two years. A Congressman must work
long and hard. But most of their work is done in committee meetings. Here
bills are studied, experts are consulted, and recommendations are made to
the whole House of Senate. During a two year term of a Congress, as many as
20000 bills are introduced. There are 16 'standing' or permanent committees
in the Senate, and 22 in the House. They accept and improve some bills, but
reject most of them. For a bill becomes a law it must be read, studied in
committees, commented on and amended in the Senate or House chamber in
which it was introduced. It is then voted upon. If it passes, it is sent to
the other house where a similar procedure occurs. Members of both houses
work together in "conference committees" if the chambers have passed
different versions of the same bill. Groups who try to persuade Congressmen
to vote for or against a bill are known as "lobbies". When both houses of
Congress pass a bill on which they agree, it is sent to the president for
his signature. If President is disapproves, he vetoes and refusing to sign
it, and sends it back to Congress. President’s objection are read and
debated. To overcome the President's veto, the bill must get a 2/3 majority
in each chamber.
Lobbyists. Often discussing Congress of the USA, the third chamber is
mentioned. It's a specific American phenomena called lobbies. Today ifs big
corporations, social organisations, foreign diplomats, who try to influence
lawmaking process in their favour. This is done with the help of lobbyists.
Practically lobbyism (backstage influence in legislation) has become legal,
it means, that the passing of a bill can be prevented, if it doesn’t suit
the interests of a definite group of big business. Lobbyists make all
themselves legislative councils. More and more people realise that
legislation is shaped as much by the hidden influences, as by the public
debates.
The executive branch. The executive power in the USA belongs to the
President and his Administration. The Presidency in the USA is the highest
governmental office. President in the USA is the head of the state and the
government, and also the commander-in-chief of the US Armed Forces.
Vice-resident and the Cabinet assist president. The President and Vice-
president are elected for a term of four years and can be reelected.
President must be a natural-born citizen of the USA and at least 35 years
old, and for at least 14 years resident of the USA. The term of office of
the President begins on the 2nd of January. Presidential elections are head
in two stages - in November and December. Before the elections the
candidates for Presidency tour the country, meeting people and delivering
speeches.
The president, as the chief formulator of public policy, often proposes
legislation to Congress. The president can also veto (forbid) any bill
passed by Congress. The veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in both
the Senate and House of Representatives. As head of his political party,
with ready access to the news media, the president can easily influence
public opinion regarding issues and legislation that he deems vital.
President conducts foreign affairs, signed documents, appoints diplomats,
Cabinet Members, federal judges with the consent and advice of the Senate.
He outlines the course of his administration threw Congress.
Vice-president presides over the Senate, his other duties are
indefinite. He takes the president's office, if the president is unable to
finish his term. So Vice-president is 'a forgotten man of the American
politics'. A Cabinet of 12 members assists the US President. Cabinet
secretaries correspond to European ministers. They are heads of different
departments and are responsible to President. Today these 13 departments
are State, Treasury, Defence, Justice, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce,
Labour, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development,
Transportation, Energy and Education. The State Department ranks ahead of
others. The political power of the Secretary of the State is the second
only to that of the president. He must maintains peace and negotiates
economic and political treatness.
Besides, President has an inner Cabinet, the so-called 'white-house
office', i. e. immediate assistance and advises of the President. The House
of Representatives may bring charges against the President, it is called
'impeachment' - a formal accusation against a public official by a
legislative body, for treason, bribery and other high crimes.
Under the Constitution, the president is primarily responsible for
foreign relations with other nations. He often represents the United States
abroad in consultations with other heads of state, and, through his
officials, he negotiates treaties with over countries. Such treaties must
be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Senate. Presidents also negotiate
with other nations less formal "executive agreements" that are not subject
to Senate approval.
Inauguration. Inauguration always takes place on the 20th of January, it is
an official act of installing the President of the USA to his office.
Inauguration is connected with some traditions. Thus the incumbent.
President gives dinner on the eve in honour of the President elected and to
conduct him threw the White House'. By 12 o'clock of the 2nd of January two
participants of the ceremony and guests take their places in front of the
Capitol. The central point of the ceremony is the taking of an oath by the
President and the delivering of his Inaugural speech, it is regarded as a
declaration of principles, proclaimed by the new administration. The
ceremony ends in a military parade.
The major political parties. The US began as a one party political system.
But gradually two-party system appeared. The present-day Democratic Party
was founded in 1828, representing southern states. It united slave owners.
The Republican Party was founded in 1854 and united people from Northeast,
who were against slavering. The emblem of the Democratic Party is a donkey.
The emblem of the Republican Party is an elephant. The main task of the
parties is to win elections. One of the reasons of stability at the two
party systems is family tradition to inherit politics from fathers.
Judiciary. The judicial branch is headed by the Supreme Court, which is the
only court specifically created by the Constitution. In addition, the
Congress has established 11 federal courts of appeal and. below them, 91
federal district courts. Federal judges are appointed for life or voluntary
retirement, and can only be removed from office through the process of
impeachment and trial in the Congress.
Federal courts have jurisdiction over cases arising out of the
Constitution: laws and treaties of the United States: maritime cases;
issues involving foreign citizens or governments; and cases in which the
federal government itself is a party. Ordinarily, federal courts do not
hear cases arising out of the laws of individual states.
The Supreme Court today consists of a chief justice and eight
associate justices. With minor exceptions, all its cases reach the Court on
appeal from lower federal or state courts. Most of these cases involve
disputes over the interpretation of laws and legislation. In this capacity,
the Court's most important function consists of determining whether
congressional legislation or executive action violates the Constitution.
This power of judicial review is not specifically provided for by the
Constitution; rather, it is the Court's interpretation of its
Constitutional role as established in the landmark.
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