1、Chapter ElevenPolitical System of USThree PrinciplesFederalismThe Separation of PowersRespect for the Constitution and the Rule of Law Federalism:There is a division of powers between the federal government and the state government.Simplex Vs. Federalism(單一制) （聯邦制） The Separation of Powers: There is

2、 a division of powers among the three branches of the federal government. The legislative branch The President The Supreme Court The judicial branchThe executive branch Congress To ensure each of the three branches a sufficient role in the actions of the others so that no one branch may dominate the

3、 others. Checks and BalancesThe Constitutionframed in Philadelphia in 1787 and ratified in 1789American constitution is called “a living constitution”, in that amendments can be added to it.Some Amendments Freedom of SpeechThe Right to Bear ArmsRights of Criminal DefendantsState Interference vs. Per

4、sonal PrivacyPolitical SystemThe Federal SystemThe American CongressThe Federal AdministrationThe American Judiciary SystemFederalismTwo LevelsNational government State government Neither the central nor the state government receives its powers from the other; both derive them from a common source,

5、the Constitution. Each of them has their own separate powers. The federal government dose not have the right to appoint or remove state governors, who are elected by residents of the states.The federal government makes federal laws while each state makes its own state laws. Any constitutional change

6、s have to be approved by at least three-fourths of the states as well as the federal government before going into effect. Features of the FederalismNational government State governmentForeign affairsNational defenseInternal affairs within their own stateThey are supreme within their spheres of autho

7、rityThe American Congresslaw-making bodyNo federal taxes can be collected or money spent without the approval of both houses.The President signs the laws. If he refuses, his “veto” can be overridden by a 2-thirds majority in both house.Powers of the Congressthe power to collect taxesto pay the count

8、rys debtsto regulate foreign commerceto raise armies and pay for themSenateHouse of representativeLegislative bodyEqual in ImportanceCheck and balance each otherCapitol HallThe SenateMembers Powers LogoThe Senate BuildingMembers100 Senators (two from each state)Term and Qualificationstermqualificati

9、onssix years(one third of them are elected every two years.)over 30 years old an American citizen for at least nine yearsLeader of the SenateVice-presidentPresiding the Senate ConferenceBecoming the president upon the Presidents deathJoe Biden Special Powers of the Senate All treaties and all the Pr

10、esidents appointments to high office are subjected to the Senates approval.The House of RepresentativesMembersPowersLogoThe House of Representativesmembers435 (according to the size of the state population)Term and Qualificationstermqualificationstwo years(The entire membershipis elected every two y

11、ears.)over 35 years old an American citizen for at least seven yearsLeader of the House of Representative Nancy Pelosi,the first woman speaker of the House of RepresentativeThe Federal AdministrationThe President and His PowersThe Organization of Executive BranchThe PresidentThe head of stateThe hea

12、d of governmentThe Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces“the first citizen” (his wife being called the first lady )The Right of PresidentPresident foreign policy making laws Commander-in-chief of all armed forcesAppointment of Officialsgiving pardons The president is commander-in-chief of the armed

13、 forces of the United States and has the power to raise, train, supervise, and deploy American armed forces. All the bills passed by congress must be signed by the president before becoming laws. If the president objects to a bill passed by congress, her can veto it by refusing to sign it and return

14、s it back to congress. With the approval the senate, he appoints the US secretary of State and ambassadors. (The secretary of state is the official spokesman of the US foreign policy. His role is to advise the president on foreign affairs and help him administer foreign relations. ) The president fo

15、rmulates and implements the American foreign policy, with the authority to make treaties with foreign countries. The US constitution allows the president to give pardons in federal criminal cases. The president can also pardon a group of people, but he could not pardon himself when congress impeache

16、s him. Limitation of Rights (1)He must ask congress for every dollar his administration spends. His nomination of officials needs the approval of the senate. He has to make a report to congress on the state of union once a year. The president is checked by the Supreme Court which has the power to de

17、clare his policy. Limitation of Rights (2)He has to respond to public opinion.If the president abuses his power and commits high crimes, congress has the power to impeach him. The constitution does not allow him to dissolve the congress or remove justices of the Supreme Court. Executive BranchesDepa

18、rtments and Agencies Two consultative and advisory bodies the Cabinet the National Security Council The CabinetMembers: president, vice-president, heads of the government departments. US ambassador to the UN The cabinet advises the President and does not make up any decisions. The president is free

19、to consult or ignore their advice.the National Security Council Members: the president, the vice-president, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, director of the CIAFunctions: giving advices on domestic, foreign, and military policies affecting security issues.The American Judiciary Syst

20、em The Supreme Court The Federal Court The State CourtTwo Court SystemsThe Supreme CourtFinal Jurisdiction - interpret LawMembers: the Chief Justice and eight justicesCases: ambassadors, ministers and consuls of foreign countries, and those in which a state is involvedChief JusticeThe Federal CourtT

21、he Supreme CourtThe Court of AppealThe District CourtThe Judges are appointed by president with the content of the Senate, and they hold office for life.Responsible for the federal Law The State CourtThe Supreme State CourtAppellate Court Superior CourtThe Judges are elected by the state, and they h

22、old office for four years.Responsible for the State Law 1. The power of the state in the US is actually from _. A. the central government B. the state constitution D. both B and CC. the US Constitution 2. The terms of the senator and representative are _ and _ years respectively. A. two four B. two three C. two six D. six two 3. Certain presidential appointments must be approved by a majority vote in _. A. Congress B. the House C. the Supreme Court D. the Senate 4.