American Political System

Background: Early settlers came to the USA because of religious persecution and a lack of political rights Basic American Values Rights of the individual, personal freedom private enterprise, little government involvement (justice, national defense and public order) ‘Government of the people, by the people, for the people’ Historically a two party system: Democrats (donkey) In the centre of the political system Voice of liberalism Hillary and Bill Clinton JFK Republicans (elephant) On the right of the political spectrum Voice of conservatism (religion and morality) George Bush SR/JR

Political Spectrum Centre Left Right Democrats Republicans Socialist Party Radical Liberal Conservative Reactionary Centre Left Right Democrats Republicans Socialist Party Democrats Republicans Considered the voice of American Liberalism Introduced programs for the poor, minorities JFK Bill and Hillary Clinton Barak Obama Voice of American Conservatism Values of: Patriotism, National expansion, limited Government involvement Local community Family, Christian Values 1990s smaller Government lower taxes Neoconservative beliefs Regan, Bush Jr/Sr Eisenhower Socialist ideals of collectivism 1917 changes this in the USA No support after 1945 Independents

2008 Presidential Election

The American Political System: Presidential system Voters choose the President and VP Federal system States are more autonomous than Provinces in Canada Presidential Democracy USA Legislative Executive Judicial The Congress The Senate House of Representatives The President and Vice President The Cabinet Supreme Court

Presidential Democracy USA Legislative Executive Judicial The Congress The Senate House of Representatives The President and Vice President The Cabinet Supreme Court

Executive Branch: Office of the President Cabinet Head of Sate and Head of Government, commander and Chief of Armed Forces Limited to only two terms Directly elected by Americans Must be supported by 2/3 of the 538 member electoral college Responsibilities: Appoints the cabinet and signs bills (also can veto them) Cannot be a member of the legislative branch or appear in the legislature to introduce a Bill Cabinet Secretary: of defense, state homeland security, Federal Reserve Appointed by President

Legislative Branch: The Senate: House of Representatives: The elected upper chamber Every state is represented 2 senators Elected for 6 year terms No restrictions on # of terms Senators have the right to unlimited debate Filibuster Can introduce new legislation or modify/reject Cabinet has to be approved by senate Can impeach president if they are abusing power House of Representatives: The elected lower chamber Assigned to states based on population Elected to 2 year terms No limit to reelection Three main powers: Right to introduce money bills Power to elect president when no candidate receives the majority of votes Have right to impeach

Steps for a Bill to Become Law: Introduction: Any Member of legislature (Congress) can introduce a bill Presidential bills are introduced by the senior member of the President’s party Committee Action: Bills are referred to a full committee for approval or rejection Representation refers to the proportion of each part in the Senate or House Committees determine which bills they will consider if a bill is not considered it is killed Sub committees will then amend the bill, study it and report back to the full committee The committee then votes on the bill and if favorable will report it to the legislature (House or Senate) Floor Action: Bill is then placed on Calendar for Debate After debate the chamber will vote on the bill depending on the type will determine how the Legislature will vote Tax or money bills all members must vote

Steps for a Bill to Become Law…: Action in the Second Chamber: Once passes in one chamber the other chamber for debate and approval This chamber can either pass the bill, amend it (minor), ignore the bill, or pass its own bill different from the original Conference Action: If the changes are significant then senior members from both chambers will meet and reconcile the bills differences Sometimes this results in both chambers being ok with the bill other times the bills die Presidential Veto: If the president approves the bill then it is dated and signed If the President does not agree with the bill then can reject it Veto If a 2/3 majority in the legislature is achieved then the veto is overturned and the bill becomes law Checks and Balances: All branches have the ability to override one another

Judicial Branch The Supreme Court Highest court in the land Most important political function is to review challenges to legislation (bills) brought before it and decide if they are constitutional or not 9 judges appointed by president and approved by senate Serve for life

Representatives Senate Reviews executive decisions Appoints members EXECUTIVE President JUDICIARY Supreme Court Cabinet Appoints judges Proposes laws Electoral College Confirms appointments Makes laws Departments Reviews laws LEGISLATURE (Congress) House of Representatives Senate Administer and implement laws Decides cases VOTERS

American Elections

Elections and Voting: Presidential Campaigns: Congressional Campaigns Primaries Select the candidate from each party to attend the convention At the convention the nomine and running mate will be selected The presidential candidates will run head to head from September to November Voters will select their candidate which nominate a member to the electoral college (senate/House of Representatives) 538 This body will actually choose the president Congressional Campaigns Every two years House of Representatives are up for election 1/3 of the Senate are up for election

2004 Presidential Election

2008 Presidential Election

These are the results of the four most recent US elections. Candidates Popular Vote As % E.C.* John Macain (R) Barrack Obama (D) 58 343 671 66 882 230 46% 53% 173 365 32% 68% 2008 Candidates Popular Vote As % E.C.* George W. Bush (R) John Kerry (D) 61 934 053 58 901 260 50.75% 48.27% 286 252 53.16% 46.84% 2004 Candidates Popular Vote As % E.C.* George W. Bush (R) Al Gore (D) 50,460,110 51,003,926 47.87% 48.38% 271 266 50.37% 49.44% 2000 Candidates Popular Vote As % E.C.* Robert Dole (R) Bill Clinton (D) 39,198,755 47,400,125 40.72% 49.23% 159 379 29.55% 70.45% 1996 *E.C. = Electoral College

Does the system Work? Criticisms: Positives: Rage Against the Machine: Testify Apathy Voting irregularities Polarized electorate Positives: Lots of opportunity to vote and participate Checks and balances

Canadian and American Political Systems Comparison Chart Branch of Government: American System: Canadian system: Executive: Responsibilities: Components: Elected: Legislative: Judicial:

How are the Canadian and American Systems Similar/Different? Similarities: Differences: