Separation of powers
The Supreme Court:
The highest federal court
One Chief Justice, 8 associate justices
SCOTUS justices are appointed for life by the President
The appointments have to be ratified by the Senate (a simple majority
, The USA & Federalism
The US consists of 50 states which each have their own government with an executive (governor), a
house of representatives and a senate, and a state court system.
According to the Constitution, the federal government (the one in DC) only has limited powers.
However, from the Civil War onwards the federal government has become increasingly powerful.
Responsibilities
National
Declare war
Maintain armed forces
Admit new states
Coin money
Set standard weights and measures
Make all laws necessary and proper for carrying out delegated powers
Shared
Maintain law and order
Levy taxes
Borrow money
Establish courts
State
Establish and maintain schools
Make marriage laws
Provide for public safety
Regulate business within the state
US Presidential Elections
Quadrennial event (= once every four years)
Generally between candidates from the two major parties: Democratic Party and Republican
Party (last independent elected was George Washington, the first president)
Primary elections on state level to determine who the candidates will be
Indirect election to elect President and Vice-President (part of the same bill / ticket)
Strictly speaking, votes are cast for members of the Electoral College, who then cast direct
“electoral” votes
The candidate who receives the absolute majority of electoral votes becomes President
Campaigning
The Supreme Court:
The highest federal court
One Chief Justice, 8 associate justices
SCOTUS justices are appointed for life by the President
The appointments have to be ratified by the Senate (a simple majority
, The USA & Federalism
The US consists of 50 states which each have their own government with an executive (governor), a
house of representatives and a senate, and a state court system.
According to the Constitution, the federal government (the one in DC) only has limited powers.
However, from the Civil War onwards the federal government has become increasingly powerful.
Responsibilities
National
Declare war
Maintain armed forces
Admit new states
Coin money
Set standard weights and measures
Make all laws necessary and proper for carrying out delegated powers
Shared
Maintain law and order
Levy taxes
Borrow money
Establish courts
State
Establish and maintain schools
Make marriage laws
Provide for public safety
Regulate business within the state
US Presidential Elections
Quadrennial event (= once every four years)
Generally between candidates from the two major parties: Democratic Party and Republican
Party (last independent elected was George Washington, the first president)
Primary elections on state level to determine who the candidates will be
Indirect election to elect President and Vice-President (part of the same bill / ticket)
Strictly speaking, votes are cast for members of the Electoral College, who then cast direct
“electoral” votes
The candidate who receives the absolute majority of electoral votes becomes President
Campaigning
