27.02.2014 Wiedza o USA Semestr II
THE POLITICAL SYSTEM OF THE U.S.A
Direct democracy ( it’s practiced in Ukraine too ) it was practiced in ancient Athens but today it has different face and shape now.
In Poland is Representative democracy ( it means that we as polish citizens simply choose some people who we call representatives and they represent us, they discuss the most important measures about the country on behalf of us and are responsible for everything).
REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY
(American democracy – the most popular democracy in the world )
*The government by the people in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by their elected agents under a free electoral system.*
PILARS OF DEMOCRACY
Sovereignty of the people(power of the people)
Government based upon the consent(zgoda?) of the governed
Majority rule through their representatives
Minority rights are respected
Guarantee of basic human rights : freedom of speech and freedom of religion
Free and fair elections
Equality before the law
Due process of law(fair process of law)
Constitutional limits on government
Social and political pluralism(wiecej niz jedna partai)
Values of tolerance, pragmatism, cooperation and compromise
The constitution of 1787 – start with famous words “we the people” ( my narod ).
THE CONSTITUTION
The American Constitution provides the basis for the U.S.A Government
It is the basic law from which the U.S government derives its power
It is called the supreme law because :
1. No other laws may contradict any of this principles
2. No person or government is exempt from following it.
THE CONSTITUTION
The Document The Amendants ( 27 ) (poprawki)
The Preamble The Articles ( 7 )
THE BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE CONSTITUTION :
It contains two main sections :
SECTION ONE
The Document – the part of the Constitution that has never been changed. It establishes the structure of the government
The Document consists of :
THE DOCUMENT
The Articles ( seven ) – that establish the branches of the government and list their duties and responsibilities.
SECTION TWO
The Amendments – changes to the Constitution ( 27 so far, the last added in 19992 ) – a living document
The first ten amendments to the Constitution are called Bill of Rights
THE CONSTITUTION :
The constitution has three main principles :
PRINCIPLE ONE
Inherent rights ( prawa niezbywalne ) – rights that anyone living in America has. Rights guaranteed by the Constitution on both citizens and non- citizens who live in the U.S.A ( 5 rights)
Inherent rights include :
Right to freedom of religion
Right to freedom of speech
Right to bear arms, or to won weapons
Right to a trail when accused of a crime and to know of what crime one is accused of
Right to own property and to expect the government cooperation In protection private property.
PRINCIPLE TWO
Government by the people – the people have the authority to :
Delegate their authority to their representatives in the government
Elect their representatives or even change the laws or the constitution
When they believe these changes need to be made
PRINCIPLE THREE
Separation of powers – giving each branch of the government different powers.
SEPERATION OF POWERS
The constitution defines three distinct branches of the national government, each with its won powers :
The Branches are :
1. The legislative branch – represented by a congress ( House of Representatives and Senate )
2.The executive branch
3. The judicial ( judiciary ) branch
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
LEGISLATIVE
Composed of :
Congress : House of Representative and Senate
Powers :
Makes or passes laws ( enacts laws)
EXECUTIVE
Composed of :
President, Vice President, Departments, Independent Agencies
Powers :
provides leadership, enforces
JUDICAL
Composed of :
Supreme Court, Lower Courts
Powers:
explains and interprets laws, settles lawsuits