The System of Power The System of Power in the USA.in the USA.

How does the political system How does the political system work?work?

* * Who is the head of the executive Who is the head of the executive branch in the USA?branch in the USA?

* * Which officials in the USA are elected Which officials in the USA are elected and which are appointed?and which are appointed?

* * Is the head of the state elected Is the head of the state elected directly by the people in the USA?directly by the people in the USA?

* * Can the people exercise their power Can the people exercise their power through their representatives?through their representatives?

* * What activities are two branches of What activities are two branches of power involved in?power involved in?

HOW MUCH POWER DOES HOW MUCH POWER DOES THE USA PRESIDENT HAVE?THE USA PRESIDENT HAVE?

The United States of America The United States of America is ais a federal (or presidential) federal (or presidential) republic.republic.

The head of state isThe head of state is the the President.President.

Which institutions represent the Which institutions represent the legislative and executive legislative and executive

branches of power?branches of power?CONGRESS

The HOUSE ofREPRESENTATIVES

435 members

The SENATE100 members

The ADMINISTRATIONThe PRESIDENT

The VICE PRESIDENT

The CABINETSecretaries as heads

of the mostImportant

Departments inThe Administration

THE PEOPLE

All men and women over 18

The Executive Branch of the The Executive Branch of the Federal Government.Federal Government.

The PRESIDENTThe PRESIDENT- - is the head of state.is the head of state.- - is elected directly by is elected directly by

the people.the people.- - is not a member of is not a member of

the American the American Parliament, Parliament, Congress.Congress.

- - appoints the appoints the SecretariesSecretaries

the the AdministrationAdministration

- - includes the includes the Secretaries who Secretaries who are heads of the are heads of the executive executive departmentsdepartments..

The Legislative Branch of Power.The Legislative Branch of Power.CONGRESSCONGRESS

SENATESENATE Consist of 100 Consist of 100

senators, two for each senators, two for each statestate

The HOUSE of The HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVESREPRESENTATIVES

Has 435 members (depends on Has 435 members (depends on the population of each state)the population of each state)

- - Makes all lawsMakes all laws- Each House of Congress can introduce - Each House of Congress can introduce

new projectnew project- Each House can vote against the project - Each House can vote against the project

passed by the others. If both houses agree passed by the others. If both houses agree the project becomes law.the project becomes law.

The System of Checks and The System of Checks and Balances.Balances. How does it work?How does it work?

There are three branches of power in the USA.There are three branches of power in the USA.They are involved in the system of checks and They are involved in the system of checks and

balances.balances.

Executive branchPRESIDENT

Legislative branchCONGRESS

Judicial branchThe SUPREME COURT

How does the president deal with How does the president deal with Congress and Supreme Court?Congress and Supreme Court?

- - The President can veto laws passed by The President can veto laws passed by Congress.Congress.

- The President appoints federal judges.- The President appoints federal judges.

How does the Supreme Court How does the Supreme Court check the other branches of check the other branches of

power?power?- The Court can declare laws passed by - The Court can declare laws passed by

Congress unconstitutional.Congress unconstitutional.- The Court can declare presidential - The Court can declare presidential

acts unconstitutional.acts unconstitutional.

How does Congress balance How does Congress balance the powers of other two the powers of other two

branches?branches?- Congress can pass laws over the - Congress can pass laws over the

President’s veto by two-thirds President’s veto by two-thirds majority.majority.

- The Senate must approve the - The Senate must approve the President’s judicial appointments.President’s judicial appointments.

Americans say, “ The President Americans say, “ The President proposes, but Congress proposes, but Congress disposes”.disposes”.

According to the US Constitution According to the US Constitution Congress and the Supreme Court Congress and the Supreme Court control the president’s power.control the president’s power.

Questions about political systems Questions about political systems of Britain and the USA?of Britain and the USA?

1.1. Who is the Head of State in Britain? Who is the Head of State in Britain?2. Who is the Head of State in the USA?2. Who is the Head of State in the USA?3. What are the Houses of the British Parliament?3. What are the Houses of the British Parliament?4. What are two parts of the Congress of the USA?4. What are two parts of the Congress of the USA?5. Who does the British elect?5. Who does the British elect?6. Who does the Americans elect?6. Who does the Americans elect?7. Which institutions represent the legislative and 7. Which institutions represent the legislative and

executive branches of power in the UK? What are they executive branches of power in the UK? What are they functions?functions?

8. Which institutions represent the legislative and 8. Which institutions represent the legislative and executive branches of power in the USA? What are they executive branches of power in the USA? What are they functions?functions?

9. Which political system is more democratic?9. Which political system is more democratic?