Higher Modern Studies

1
Higher Modern Studies Pupil Conference April
2008 USA Presented by George Clarke
2
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
3
2007 exam question
To what extent do ethnic minorities influence the
outcome of elections in the USA?
4
This leaves
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
5
Therefore this workshop will concentrate on
The US Political System The role and powers of
the US Government at federal, state and local
levels
6
Background
The American War of Independence / American
Revolution
The Treaty of 1783 left a power vacuum What sort
of government would replace British rule?
7
Problems for the new United States
13 separate colonies at war but 1 Treaty
Potential for disputes over - Land -
Trade
Costs of government - 13 ambassadors to London?
and Paris? - 13 armies? - 13 currencies?
8
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
9
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
10
Sovereignty (power) in the USA rests with the
People and the States
The Constitution identifies what the Federal
Government can do. For example
Therefore this restricts the power of the Federal
Government The Constitution is therefore the
first check on the power of the Federal
Government.
11
HOWEVER Over the last 200 years Federal Power
has grown enormously
Amendments to the Constitution
slavery abolished - votes for women
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
Imaginative interpretations of the Constitution
- road building
Executive Orders have the force of law but not
passed by Congress
eg Affirmative Action
12
The Separation of Powers
For any government to function it must have 3
powers
13
The Separation of Powers
If these powers are controlled by one person or
one small group
Dictatorship
14
The Separation of Powers
Therefore the US Constitution keeps these powers
separate
15
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.
16
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
17
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
Supreme Court Checks on President and Congress
Has the power to declare laws UNCONSTITUTIONAL
18
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.
2004 George Bush Elected Republicans control
Congress
Some of Bushs policies become unpopular
Republicans lose control
19
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.
20
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.
21
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.
22
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
23
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
24
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.
25
And Finally The tale of 5 Passengers and 4
Parachutes
26
(No Transcript)
27
(No Transcript)
28
(No Transcript)
29
(No Transcript)
30
(No Transcript)
31
(No Transcript)
32
A bit harsh on George Dubbya?
33
(No Transcript)
34
(No Transcript)
35
(No Transcript)