Summary
Summary American Ways Chapter 7
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Summary of chapter 7: government and politics in the United States.
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American WaysGoverment and politics in the United states
Ideal of the free individual has effect on the Am. view on government. Traditionally -> suspicion,
natural enemy of freedom.
American Revolution (1776) Believe: government of GB wants to discourage the freedom and
economic opportunities of Am. (Thomas Paine: ‘Government even in its best state is but a necessary
evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one..’)
The organization of the American Government
Governmental power based on the belief that every branch will be a tread to the freedom.
Three separate branches:
1. The legislative or lawmaking branch = the Congress the Senate (6y terms) & the House of
Representatives (2y terms). 100 Senators & 435 representatives.
In the House: States with large popu. have more representatives than states with small popu.
2. The executive branch = the President (chief executive) and his Cabinet (the Secretary of
State, the Secretary of Defense : chosen by the Senate) Carry out the laws
Election for president: every 4 years and you can be re-chosen once.
3. The Judicial branch = The Supreme Court and lower national courts. settles disputes
System of checks and balances: if a branch abuses his power than the other two can stop it.
Legislative & executive are most powerful = President & congress.
Two conflicting voices? (President and Congress) The president have to have the advice of the Senate
before taking actions. BUT the president may prevent a bill passed by the Congress from becoming a
law. The president has 10 days to do sth with the law that the houses of Congress (Senate and
Representatives) have passed. 4 options ! :
1. Agrees becomes law
2. Disagrees veto sent back to Congress with reasons for refusing it if 2/3 of the
Congresses houses vote to override the veto becomes law
3. No action of president after 10 days becomes law
4. Pocket veto (=the bill is defeated if Congress adjourns within a ten-day period)
Am. believe in their system: 2 reasons
1. Have been able to meet challenges in the past
2. Give strong protection to individual freedom
Bill of Rights = guarantees citizens of the US specific individual rights and freedoms, like freedom of
expression. The government cannot interfere with an individual’s freedom of speech or religion, or
the right to assemble and the right of a fair criminal procedure.
The Election of the President and Congress
President and Congress almost complete independence from each other chosen in separate
elections. So, there is a possibility that for example. The president is democrat and the houses are
republican. And the senators can be democrats while the representatives can be republicans.
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