美国课件7政治 美国概况 英语国家概况 英美概况教程教案.ppt

American Politics Lecturer: Qin Jie Aims Get to know the basic political system of America. Get to know the general principles behind the system. Overview: Organization The United States is the worlds oldest surviving federation. It is a constitutional republic. The government is regulated by a system of checks and balances defined by the U.S. Constitution. In the American federalist system, citizens are usually subject to three levels of government, federal, state, and local. General Principles The form of government is based on 3 main principles: federalism, the separation of powers, respect for the Constitution the rule of law. The Constitution A federal union of 50 states The Constitution follows two principles: Federal system Separation of powers Three Branches Legislative: (The Senate and the House of Representatives) makes federal law, declares war, approves treaties, has the power of the purse, and has the power of impeachment. Executive: The president is the commander-in-chief of the military, can veto legislative bills before they become law, and appoints the Cabinet and other officers. Judicial: The Supreme Court and lower federal courts interpret laws, and can overturn laws they deem unconstitutional. The Governments The state government has the primary functions of providing law and order, education, public health and most of the things concerning day-to-day life. The Federal government at Washington is concerned with foreign affairs with matters of general concern to all the states including commerce between the states. The Cabinet, made up of the heads of the government departments, only advise the President and does not make any decisions. The President must carry out the government programs enacted into law by Congress. Powers of the President  President The President has the power of appointing as many as thousands of officers. He has the power to conduct foreign affairs. He has a veto power over bills passed by Congres