higher modern studies pupil conference april 2008 usa presented by george clarke usa
TRANSCRIPT
Higher Modern Studies
Pupil Conference
April 2008
USA
Presented by George Clarke
USA
Areas of the Unit that may be examined
The US Political System
The role and powers of the US Government at federal, state and local levels
Political issues
Participation and representation
Immigration
Political parties and their support and political trends
Social and Economic Issues
Nature and extent of social and economic inequalities
Demands for change
Effectiveness of government responses and consequences for different groups
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2007 exam question
To what extent do ethnic minorities influence the outcome of elections in the USA?
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Which comes from the area
Political issues
Participation and representation
Immigration
Political parties and their support and political trends
This leaves USA
The US Political System
The role and powers of the US Government at federal, state and local levels
Social and Economic Issues
Nature and extent of social and economic inequalities
Demands for change
Effectiveness of government responses and consequences for different groups
Therefore this workshop will concentrate on USA
The US Political System
The role and powers of the US Government at federal, state and local levels
Background
The American War of Independence / American Revolution
The Treaty of 1783 left a power vacuum
What sort of government would replace British rule?
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Problems for the new United States
13 separate colonies at war but 1 Treaty
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Costs of government - 13 ambassadors to London? and Paris? - 13 armies? - 13 currencies?
Potential for disputes over - Land - Trade
A Constitution was needed to regulate affairs and structure the government of the new United States
The Constitution describes what the Federal Government can do.
Among other things the Constitution set out the structure for the Federal Government of the United States
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The US Constitution has a number of important principles built into it that affect and influence the structure and power of government in the United States.
Sovereignty (power) in the USA rests with the People and the StatesThe Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
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USASovereignty (power) in the USA rests with the People and the StatesThe Constitution identifies what the Federal Government can do.
For example- issue
currency
Therefore this restricts the power of the Federal Government
The Constitution is therefore the first check on the power of the Federal Government.
- run the postal service- control the armed services- make war and negotiate treaties
HOWEVER
Over the last 200+ years Federal Power has grown enormouslyAmendments to the Constitution
‘Imaginative’ interpretations of the Constitution
– slavery abolished- votes for women
- road building
Executive Orders have the force of law but not passed by Congress
eg Affirmative Action
But Amendments are difficult to pass
- 2/3rds of Senate and House of Representatives
- agreed by the President
- passed by 3/4ths of the State Assemblies
USA
The Separation of Powers
For any government to function it must have 3 powers
Legislative Power
The power to make laws
Executive Power
The power to apply laws
Judicial Power
The power to interpret laws
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The Separation of Powers
Legislative Power
The power to make laws
Executive Power
The power to apply laws
Judicial Power
The power to interpret laws
Dictatorship
If these powers are controlled by one person or one small group
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USA
The Supreme Court
The President and the Cabinet
Congress
Senate
House of Representatives
The Separation of Powers
Therefore the US Constitution keeps these powers separate
Legislative Power
The power to make laws
Executive Power
The power to apply laws
Judicial Power
The power to interpret laws
Checks and Balances
These have been built into the Constitution to prevent any one part of government becoming too powerful.
The Constitution is the first check on the power of the Federal Government as a whole.
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Checks on the Power of the President
CONGRESS has the power to make laws.
President cannot introduce new laws it must be a member of CongressHOWEVER
A popular President will be able to get Congress to make laws he wants because many members will owe their seats to him - a coat-tail electionThe President is a power broker – he is best placed to get support for the pet projects of Congressmen and women in return for their support for him
Use of Executive Orders
Have the power of law without reference to Congress.
Provided the Department of Homeland Security with many of its wide ranging powers
Enables suspected terrorists to be held without trial
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Other Checks on Presidential Power - Congress
Control The Budget
Committees of Investigation – power to impeach
Congress must give approval if the president declares war
Senate must give approval if the President makes a Treaty
Senate must approve the appointment of Supreme Court Justices and Ambassadors
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Supreme Court Checks on President and Congress
Has the power to declare laws UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Checks on Presidential Power – The People
Elections are held every 2 years in the USA
The whole House of Representatives are re-elected
One-third of the Senate is re-elected
Therefore after 2 years a President that has done things the people do not like may face a hostile Congress.
US Elections 2004
Senate House
Democrat 44 202
Republican 55 232
Independent 1 1
US Elections 2006 (mid term)
Senate House
Democrat 51 233
Republican 49 202
2004 George Bush Elected
Republicans control Congress
Some of Bush’s policies become unpopular – Republicans lose control
Checks on increasing Presidential Power – The Constitution
No person can serve more than two terms as President – ie 8 years maximumStops one person dominating and accumulating power.
To what extent is the power of the President checked by the Constitution?
15 marks
He is Commander –in-Chief of the Armed Forces
However
He cannot declared war without getting Congress approval
He cannot make treaties without Senate approval
He is in charge of internal security
He has extended executive powers in the USA in the ‘war on terrorism’ by using Executive Orders
However
In 2005 the Senate prevented him his powers to monitor US citizens and the Supreme Court could declare some actions unconstitutional.
He can appoint ambassadors and Supreme Court Justices
However
His appointments can be investigated and rejected by the Senate
He needs laws and money to run the USA
But
Only Congressmen and women can pass laws and only Congress can approve the Budget
Committees of Investigation in the Congress can gather evidence about the actions of a President and can impeach the PresidentA popular President can have a great deal of power
However
After 2 years in office the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate are re-elected. So the people can elect a hostile Congress which will reduce his power.
To what extent do the checks and balances in the Constitution limit the power of the US Government
15 marks
The Constitution outlines what the Federal Government is allowed to do
For example – issue currency – raise and maintain armed forces
Anything not identified in the Constitution is reserved for the People and the States.
However
The Federal Government has found ways of extending its authorityAmendments to the Constitution – eg Abolition of Slavery forced Federal Authority over States authority
Manipulate Constitution Powers eg to defend the US to build interstate highways – road building is a matter reserved for the StatesUse of Executive Orders – to extend Affirmative Action Programmes
The President needs laws passed and a budget to run the country
But
Only the Congress can pass laws and set the Budget
However
The President can veto laws
And
The Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional
Therefore
Unless there is agreement between all 3 branches of government then the power of the US government will be limited
Finally
The Constitution gives the American electorate (the people) the power to check the power of the US government.
Within 2 years of a Presidential election year, the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate has to be re-elected. The people can elect Congressmen to prevent the US government from doing things they do not like – eg the 2006 mid-term election reduced the power of the Republican President and the Republican Congress.
Therefore because of the Constitution unless there is agreement between the 3 Branches of government, The States and the people of the US, the power of the US government can be limited.
And Finally
The tale of
5 Passengers
and
4 Parachutes
A bit harsh on
George Dubbya?
