Chapter 6 American political institutions
Chapter 6
American Political Institutions
Ⅰ. The U.S. Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the basic instrument of American government and the supreme law of the land. For two centuries and more, it has guided the evolution of governmental institutions and has provided the basis for political stability, economic growth and social progress.
The origin of American Constitution:
The American Constitution is the oldest written constitution in the world. It was drawn up in 1787 and went into effect in 1789. When the War of Independence was won, the thirteen former colonies were like thirteen independent nations. Since the colonies had just thrown off British rule, they did not want to give up their independence to a strong central government. But they also knew that they needed each other, so they chose to set up a loosely knit organization of states. In 1781, the Second Continental Congress adopted a constitution, the Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation did one important thing: they formed a new nation-the United States of America. People began to think of themselves as citizens of the United States.
Separation of powers: checks and balances
The writers of the Constitution wanted to make sure that the new government would not misuse its powers. If the new federal government was to be strong, there must be safeguards. The safeguards come in the form of separation of powers. The government is divided into three branches, the legislative, the executive and the judicial, each has part of the powers but not all the power. And each branch of government can check, or block the actions of the other branches. The three branches are thus in balance. This is called “checks and balances”.
How does the system work ?
Congress may pass a law, but the president can veto, or cancel it. Then Congress may pass the law again this time by a two-thirds vote and the president cannot veto it. But the law may still be cancelled if the Supreme Court decides that it goes against the Constitution.
Ⅱ. The Executive Branch
1. The Presidency
The President of the United States is head of the executive branch. The White House is his official residence. He is also head of state elected by the whole nation. His status makes him the most prominent figure as the first citizen and his wife is called the First Lady. The Constitution requites the President to be a natural-born American citizen at least 35 years of age.
The presidential term of four years begins on January 20 following the November election. The President starts his official duties with an inauguration
ceremony, traditionally held on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, where Congress meets. The President publicly takes an oath of office, which is administered by the Chief Justice of the United States. The oath-taking ceremony is usually followed by an inaugural address, in which the new President outlines the policies and plans of his administration. A president can be elected to office only twice.
2. Presidential Powers
Legislative powers: The President shares certain lawmaking powers with Congress. The President can veto any bill passed by Congress and, unless two-thirds in each house vote to override the veto, the bill does not become law.
Executive powers: The highest duty of the President is the execution, the President has broad powers to manage national affairs. He can issue executive orders. He is the Commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the United States. In times of war or national emergency, the Congress may grant the President even broader powers to manage the national economy and protect the security of the United States.
Powers in foreign affairs: Under the Constitution, the president is the federal official primarily responsible for the relations of the United States with foreign nations. He appoints ambassadors, ministers and consuls, they must be confirmed by the Senate and receives foreign ambassadors and other public officials. With the Secretary of State, he manages all official contacts with foreign governments. Through the Department of State, the President is responsible for the protection of Americans abroad and of foreign nationals in the United States.
Judicial powers: The Constitution allows the President to give reprieves and pardons in federal criminal cases. A reprieve stops the carrying out of a sentence. A pardon forgives an individual for a crime he or she may have committed. A president can also offer a pardon to a group of people, which is called an amnesty.
The President can influence the judicial system by appointing federal judges and Supreme Court justices who share his ideas about the law. The President’s appointments have to be approved by a majority vote of the Senate.
Ⅲ.A Two-chamber Congress
Article I of the Constitution grants all legislative power of the federal government to a Congress composed of two chambers, a Senate and a House of Representatives. The Senate, the smaller of the two, is composed of two members from each state as provided by the Constitution. Membership in the House is based on population and its size is therefore not specified in the Constitution.
The Constitution requires that U.S. Senators must be at least 30 years of age, citizens of the United States for at least nine years, and residents of the states from which they are elected. Members of the House of Representatives
must be at least 25, citizens for seven years, and residents of the states which send them to Congress. Each state is entitled to two Senators.
Regardless of its population, every state is constitutionally guaranteed at least one member of the House of Representatives. The Constitution provides for a national census each 10 years, and a redistribution of House seats according to the actual population registered. Today, the House is composed of 435 members, roughly one for each 480,000 persons in the United States.
Powers of the House and Senate
Each house of the Congress has the power to introduce legislation on any subject, except revenue bills which must first come from the House of Representatives. The Senate also has certain powers especially kept to that body, including the authority to confirm presidential appointments of high officials of the federal government as well as ratify all treaties by a two-thirds vote. In the case of accusation of federal officials of wrongdoings, the House has the sole right to bring charges of improper behaviour which can lead to a trial. The Senate has the sole power to try such cases, and to find officials guilty or not guilty.
Ⅳ. The Judicial Branch
The third branch of the federal government, the judicial, consists of a system of courts headed by the Supreme Court and including subordinate courts throughout the country.
According to the Constitution, the judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme Court. The Constitution safeguards judicial independence by providing that federal judges shall hold office “during good behaviour”. U.S. judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
The Supreme Court at present consists of a Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. The Chief Justice is the executive officer of the court but, in deciding cases, has only one vote, as each of the Associate Justices.
Key words
1. institution 制度
2. stability 稳定
3. revise 修改
4. enforce 实施，实行
5. veto 否决
6. underlying 基础的，根本的
7. provision 条款，规定
8. conceive 想像
9. petition 请愿
10. ballot 选票
12. inauguration 就职典礼
13. consul 领事
14. reprieve 缓刑
15. pardon 赦免，特赦
16. amnesty 大赦
17. census 人口普查
18. revenue 税收
19. The Speaker 美国众议院的议长
20. override 使无效，推翻
21. testimony 证言，证据
22. cite 传讯，传唤出庭
23. formality 正式的手续
24. patronage 支援，赞助
25. precinct 选区
26. grass roots 选民
27. coalition 联合，同盟
28. undermine 暗中破坏
Multiple choice
1. The American Constitution is the written Constitution in the world.
A. longest
B. oldest
C. youngest
D. shortest [ ]
2. Among the following which is not within the power of the U. S. president?
A. He can veto laws passed by the Congress.
B. He appoints federal court judges.
C. He is the head of the executive branch of government.
D. He is responsible for the interpretation of the Constitution. [ ]
3. The oath-taking ceremony of the President is traditionally held on the
steps of .
A. the White House
B. the U. S. Capitol
C. the Supreme court
D. the church [ ]
4. Today, the House is composed of members, roughly one for each
480,000 persons in the United States.
A. 100
B. 435
C. 535
D. 538 [ ]
5. is responsible for the protection of Americans abroad and of foreign
nationals in the United States.
A. The President
B. Congress
C. The Secretary of State
D. The Department of State [ ]
6. The President can offer a pardon to a group of people, which is called .
A. a pardon
B. a reprieve
C. an amnesty
D. a testimony [ ]
7. The president of the U. S. is elected .
A. directly by the voters
B. indirectly by the electors
C. by Congress
D. none of the above [ ]
8. In the Senate, each state is entitled to senators.
A. one
B. two
C. three
D. four [ ]
9. The Supreme Court has a Chief Justice and Associate Justices.
A. six
B. seven
C. eight
D. ten [ ]