Civilisation US

Why is the American Congress the most powerful Legislative Branch in the world ?

This Chapter is only complementary and helps to acquire a better understanding of the US political system. Among its lines will be discussed : - Jury Trials - Interest Groups - Political Parties - Federalists - Anti-Federalists - Democrats - Republicans

It is one of the 5 founding principles in which the US Constitution rests. Though the term "federalism" is never mentionned in the Constitution. Plan : I. Reminders II. Different Types of Power III. The Evolution of Federalism

It is the third and last branch of Government . It is defined in Article 3 of the Constitution. It is an un-elected branch. Its main role is to interpret the Constitution. The general attorney is the head of the justice department. In the US, there are three types of laws : - Constitutional - Common - Statutory Plan : I. The Federal Supreme Court A) Composition B) Appointment process C) Powers of the Supreme Court D) Judicial Philosophy

Elections are what create a Republic. They are an important ritual in a democracy, they make a president different from a king. They are directly connected to Federalism : everything that has to do with elections is controled by the states and not by the federal governmnt. There are two types of elections : presidential and congressional. Plan : I. Presidential Elections II. Congressional Elections.

The Executive Branch is defined in article 2 of the constitution : "The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his office during the term of four years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same term, be elected, as follows: Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in th...

The US Congress is considered to be the most powerful Legislative body in the world. It's the first Branch of Government and defined in Article 1. The Founding Fathers wanted the Congress ( and not the President ) to be the central policy-making body. They had a very strong suspission towards the Executive Branch. The Capitol is located on Capitol Hill in W.D.C. Its architecture is inspired by a temple one. Plan : I. Structure of Congress II. Powers of Congress

The US Constitution was written in the 18th century in a small republic of 4 million people. The constitution lasted 230 years and survived a Civil war, two World Wars , crises ... Problematic : How can the constitution develop without changing ? Plan : I. The Amendment Process II. The Bill of Rights

Summary of the key notions and principles required for a better understanding of the US Constitution. Plan : A. Values of the Constitution B. The Structure of the Constitution C. The Founding Principles