1. Usa institutions

2. The American Constitution 50 states in a federal union plus the federal district of Washington D.C. 1776 declaration of independence 1789 the constitution was adopted To the original text 26 amendments have been added.The first 10ones deal with individual rights and are known with the name of Bill of Rights

3. The Bill of Rights The American constitution was born because the Fathers Founders did not trust the central government and they added the Bill of rights amendments to preserve the individual rights from the excessive authority that could be exercised by a centralized government

4. The Bill of Rights They protect individual rights such as: Freedom of speech,freedom of religion,freedom from unreasonable searches,right to assemble,right to petition,right to jury trial and counsel,right to summon witnesses and so on

5. Patriot Act (2001) It was passed by the Congress after 2001 9/11 on demand of President Bush and suspended some of the Bill of Rights amendments.For example mail or telephone calls can be checked by the police without a preliminary judge’s warrant

6. Three levels of government Federal level (foreign policy,economic federal guidelines etc) State level (death penalty,environment laws etc) Local level(road and school maintenaince,sheriff,local police etc) All the three levels can levy taxes

7. Check –and-balance system According to the American constitution no body can become more powerful than the other two bodies.that is why it contains some check –and-balance measures

8. T he Congress Senate 100 members (2 for each state) elected by universal suffrage for 6 years but every 2 years one third of the house chenges ( the so-called mid-term elections) House of Representatives 435 members elected, on a proportional base according to the number of people living in each state, for 2 years

9. The Congress functions It writes new laws Approves the presidential budget and appointments Acts as a jury in case of impeachement Overrules presidential veto(together with the house of representatives)ù Votes in case of war on demand of the President Approves treaties It writes new laws Votes in case of war on the President’s demand Asks for impeachment Overrules presidential veto(together with the senate)

10. How a bill becomes a law A bill may be proposed either by a senator or a representative.Then,it is sent to a Commitee in the House.

11. How a bill becomes a law It can be sent from the Committee to its house to be discussed It can be reported back (it generally doesn’t become a law)

12. How a bill becomes a law After the Bill has passed both Houses in the same form,it is sent to the President who ususally signs it.Then,it becomes a law.However,the president may veto it.In that case, the Congress may pass the Bill against the President’s veto as long as there is a 2/3 majority in both Houses

13. The President of the United States of America He is both Head of the Executive and Head of State (presidential republic)

14. The President He recommends legislation to the Congress Appoints the heads of the several federal departments Leads foreign policy together with the secretary of state He declares war and makes peace on Congress’ recommandation He is elected every 4 years and can be elected again only once

15. Requirements to become President of the United States At least 40 years of age To be an American-born citizen and resident in the country for at least 15 years

16. The race to the White House Candidates for presidential elections are chosen in a party convention by delegates for that party. From July to November of the presidential election year,they travel all over the country to present their own program with some Tv face-off too (Kennedy vs Nixon)

17. The race to the white house On the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November presidential elections are held. The people of each state do not elect directly the president,but a number of great electors attributed by the electoral votes.Each state has got a different number of electoral votes according to its population.For example :California has got 54,New York 33,Illinois 22 etc.In December the great electors get together to elect one of the 2 candidates as President.

18. The race to the White House To be successful a candidate must receive at least 270 of the 538 presidential votes. The President enters the White House on January, 20th of the next year To elect the president one must be American citizen and enrolled in the electoral register and not being disqualified.

19. The Judiciary(federal level) Made up of 9 judges appointed by the President,after the Senate confirmation. Life-time term Its the ultimate Court of Appeal It decides whether a law passed by the Congres is constitutional or not It acts on disputes involvin different states legislation Can be removed only in case of impeachment by the Senate

20. Political parties Republican(1854) Deregulation Privatization of public services Free enterprise Conservative ideas Aggressive foreign policy Its symbol is the Elephant Democratic(1828) State interventation in economic matters Progressive and liberal ideas Social welfare Internationalist attitude Its symbol is the Donkey