© Chapter 4: We – the People Politics in the United States: Dividing Power

© Dividing Power – The Federal Government  Americans distrusted and limited government power in several ways: –They created a representative democracy –They made a federal system based on the separation of power –Within the federal system they created checks and balances

© Federalism and Separation of Power  States delegate power to the federal government  States reserve most power for themselves  Federal government is divided into the executive, legislative and judicial branches  Each branch sets limits (checks) on the others, balancing their power

© Congress – The Legislative Branch  Consists of two chambers, the Senate and House of Representatives  The Senate has 100 Senators elected every six years  The House of Representatives has 435 Congressmen elected every two years  Congress has the power to pass laws, levy taxes and spend tax money

© The President – The Executive Branch  Is chosen every four years by national election  Is Head of State and Chief Executive  Is Commander-in-Chief and Chief Diplomat  Has gained more power since the Constitution was adopted

© The Supreme Court – The Judicial Branch  Is the highest court in the land, i.e. sets precedents for lower courts  Decides what is constitutional through judicial review  Has great power compared to similar institutions in other countries  Consists of nine Justices appointed for life

© Checks and Balances – Examples  Congress can pass legislation, but the President can veto it  The President can make a federal budget, but Congress can reject it  The Supreme Court can reject a law both the President and Congress agree on  The President and Congress can decide who is appointed to the Supreme Court

© State Government  Most governing goes on at the state level  Most state governments are modeled on federal system  American states have enormous variety  They have a great degree of local democracy

© State Government – Advantages and Disadvantages  States are a source of innovation – 50 ”laboratories of democracy”  States rights’ protect local democracy from federal power  States’ rights can make America hard to govern  States’ variety can be a source of inequality