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 USA

2007 exam question To what extent do ethnic minorities influence the outcome of elections in the USA? USA 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? USA

Problems for the new United States 13 separate colonies at war but 1 Treaty USA 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 USA

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 States The Separation of Powers Checks and Balances USA

Sovereignty (power) in the USA rests with the People and the States The 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 enormously Amendments 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 USA

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 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. USA

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 Congress HOWEVER 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 election The 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 USA

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 USA 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 SenateHouse Democrat44202 Republican55232 Independent11 US Elections 2006 (mid term) SenateHouse Democrat51233 Republican 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 maximum Stops 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 President A 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 authority Amendments 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 States Use 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?