The political system in the US
The people (electorate: all American citizens over 18)
…vote directly in Federal Elections for …vote indirectly in Presidential
Representatives (every two years) and Elections by electing members of
Senators (1/3 of the Senate every two the Electoral College (every four
years) years), who then vote for
=> each state has: President and Vice President
- a number of representatives based on
the size of the population
- exactly two senators
United States Government
Legislative Judicial Executive
(makes laws) (evaluates laws) (carries out laws)
Two chambers of Congress: Supreme Court President
1. House of Representatives - nine Supreme Court Justices - Head of State and
435 Representatives appointed for life Government
(Congressmen, - highest court of appeal - Commander-in-Chief of
congresswomen) serve for - checks new laws for validity the US Armed Forces
two years according to the Constitution - signs or vetoes Congress
bills
2. Senate
100 Senators serve for six Cabinet
years - Vice President and heads
of 15 executive departments
The Congress can: The Supreme Court can: The President can:
- pass/veto/ratify laws and - declare executive actions and - propose/approve/veto laws
treaties and approve the laws unconstitutional - make treaties with foreign
appointment of justices governments
- override President´s veto - nominate Supreme Court
with a 2/3 majority vote judges
- regulate commerce, taxes, - be impeached by Congress
spending and military
expenses and declare war
Checks and balances: Each part of the US government can check the other’s decisions
The people (electorate: all American citizens over 18)
…vote directly in Federal Elections for …vote indirectly in Presidential
Representatives (every two years) and Elections by electing members of
Senators (1/3 of the Senate every two the Electoral College (every four
years) years), who then vote for
=> each state has: President and Vice President
- a number of representatives based on
the size of the population
- exactly two senators
United States Government
Legislative Judicial Executive
(makes laws) (evaluates laws) (carries out laws)
Two chambers of Congress: Supreme Court President
1. House of Representatives - nine Supreme Court Justices - Head of State and
435 Representatives appointed for life Government
(Congressmen, - highest court of appeal - Commander-in-Chief of
congresswomen) serve for - checks new laws for validity the US Armed Forces
two years according to the Constitution - signs or vetoes Congress
bills
2. Senate
100 Senators serve for six Cabinet
years - Vice President and heads
of 15 executive departments
The Congress can: The Supreme Court can: The President can:
- pass/veto/ratify laws and - declare executive actions and - propose/approve/veto laws
treaties and approve the laws unconstitutional - make treaties with foreign
appointment of justices governments
- override President´s veto - nominate Supreme Court
with a 2/3 majority vote judges
- regulate commerce, taxes, - be impeached by Congress
spending and military
expenses and declare war
Checks and balances: Each part of the US government can check the other’s decisions
