An overview on US political system

1. 1
THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT
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2. 2
A FEDERAL SYSTEM
OF GOVERNMENT
 The Government of the USA is
based on the Constitution, a
document which was written in
1787.
 It provides for a federal system in
which power is divided between
the states and the national, or
federal, government.
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3. 3
DIVISION OF POWERS
Federal government:
 power to make peace or
war
 to print money
 to regulate trade
between the states.
States
 justice (death penalty..)
 education
 marriage and divorce
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4. 4
U.S. POLITICAL PARTIES
The DEMOCRATIC Party
It is the oldest existing party, founded in
1830s. It is progressive and
liberal.
(Left wing) Symbol: Donkey
The REPUBLICAN Party
It is more conservative than the
Democratic Party. (Right wing)
Symbol: Elephant ChiaraSbarbada

5. 5
THE THREE BRANCHES
OF GOVERNMENT
EXECUTIVE B. (The President)
LEGISLATIVE B. (The Congress) JUDICIAL B. (Supreme Court)
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6. 6
THE EXECUTIVE POWER
The job of the Executive Branch is to make
sure that the laws of the nation are being
followed.
The White House, WashingtonChiaraSbarbada

7. 7
WHO IS IN THE EXECUTIVE
BRANCH?
 The President
 The Vice-President
 The Executive Office
 The Cabinet
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8. 8
THE PRESIDENT
BARACK OBAMA
(Democratic)
 Approves the laws that
Congress creates.
 Meets with the leaders of
other countries and can
make treaties with them.
 Is technically the boss of
every government worker.
 Commands the armed
forces.
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9. 9
A President of the U.S. Identity Card
 Native – born American
 Over 35 years old
 Elected every 4 years (max 2
terms)
 Works and live in the White
House
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10. 10
THE VICE PRESIDENT
JOE BIDEN
 President of the
Senate
 Becomes President if
the President can no
longer do the job.
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11. 11ChiaraSbarbada

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THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE
There are several different departments that work
directly with the President:
 The WHITE HOUSE OFFICE – They compose
speeches, give the President advice, decides who
gets to see him, take care of the White House.
 The NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL – They
discuss foreign policy and military matters
 And many others..
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13. 13
THE CABINET (15 departments)
The 15 Secretaries meet with and advise the
President regularly, like Italian Consiglio dei
Ministri.
The most important is the
SECRETARY OF STATE
who deals with
Foreign Affairs.
JOHN KERRY
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14. 14
THE THREE BRANCHES
OF GOVERNMENT
EXECUTIVE B. (The President)
LEGISLATIVE B. (The Congress) JUDICIAL B. (Supreme Court)
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15. 15
THE CONGRESS
Propose, debates and pass laws
and approve President’s decisions
Capitol Building, WashingtonChiaraSbarbada

16. 16
THE CONGRESS
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17. 17
House of Representatives
 435 members
 Elected by the people every TWO years
 Members must be 25 years old
 Number of members based on population
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18. 18
The Senate
 100 members ( 2 for each State )
 Elected every 6 years
 Members must be 30 years old
 Every two years, one-third of the Senate
comes up for re-election, to mantain
stability.
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19. 19
THE THREE BRANCHES
OF GOVERNMENT
EXECUTIVE B. (The President)
LEGISLATIVE B. (The Congress) JUDICIAL B. (Supreme Court)
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20. 20
THE SUPREME COURT
 It is the highest court in the nation, it is located in
Washington.
 It is made up of 9 Justices, appointed by the
President and approved by the Senate.
 Justices have their jobs for life, unless they resign,
retire, or are impeached.
The nine justicesChiaraSbarbada

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THE SUPREME COURT
Cases brought before this court for review come
from the lower FEDERAL COURTS.
Courts decide arguments about the meaning of
laws, how they are applied, and whether they
break the rules of the Constitution.
Once the Supreme Court makes a decision, it can
only be changed by another Supreme Court
decision or by “amending” the Constitution.
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23. 23
Washington, District of Columbia
United States Symbol
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