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The Political System of the USA

When the United States declared its independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776 (now celebrated as a national holiday), there were 13 original states – each one sovereign, each wanting to control its own affairs. The states tried to keep their sovereignty and independence within a loose confederation, but their attempt proved ineffectual. Therefore, in 1789, they adopted a new Constitution establishing a federal union under a strong central government. The original 13 states were grouped along the Atlantic Coast. There are now 50 states. Alaska and Hawaii, the last states to enter the Union, did so in 1959.

In actual practice, and in line with the American tradition of keeping government as close to the people as possible, the states delegate many of these powers to their political subdivisions – counties, cities, towns and villages. Thus, at the lowest political level, residents of small American communities elect village trustees to run their police and fire departments, and elect a board of education to run their schools. On the county level, voters elect executives who are responsible for roads, parks, libraries, sewage and other services, and elect or appoint judges for the courts. The citizens of each state also elect a governor and members of the state legislature.

Under the Constitution, the federal government is divided into three branches, each chosen in a different manner, each able to check and balance the others.

The Executive Branch is headed by the President, who, together with the Vice President, is chosen in nationwide elections every four years. Any natural-born American who is 35 years old or older may be elected to this office. The President proposes bills to Congress, enforces federal laws, serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and, with the approval of the Senate makes treaties and appoints federal judges, ambassadors and other members of the Executive Departments.

The Legislative Branch is made up of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The 435 seats in the House of Representatives are allocated on the basis of population, thus every state has at least one representative. Each state elects two members of the 100-member Senate; a Senator’s term of office is six years. Both houses must approve a bill for it to become law, but the President may veto or refuse to sign it.

The Judicial Branch is made up of Federal District Courts, 11 Federal Courts of Appeals and, at the top, the Supreme Court. Federal judges are appointed by the President with the approval of the Senate; to minimize political influences, their appointments are for life. Federal courts decide cases involving federal law, conflicts between states or between citizens of different states. An American who feels he has been convicted under an unjust law may appeal his case all the way to the Supreme Court, which may rule that the law is unconstitutional.

Constitution has been amended 26 times. The Bill of Rights guarantees individual liberties: freedom of speech, religion and so on. Later amendments abolished slavery, granted the right to vote to women and allowed citizens to vote at age 18.

1. How many states does the USA consist of?

2. When did the USA declare its independence from England?

3. When was the Constitution of the USA adopted?

4. What were the last states to enter the Union?

5. Is it important in the USA to keep the government as close to the people as possible? How do they manage this?

6. What branches is the federal government divided into?

7. Who is the head of the Executive Branch?

8. What are the requirements for becoming the US President?

9. Who is the current president of the USA?

10. What is the Legislative Branch made up of?

11. The Supreme Court is at the top of the Judicial Branch, isn’t it?

12. What does The Bill of Rights guarantee?

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