Government of the United States

The Constitution

• Preamble:– We the People of the United States, in Order to

form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

The Constitution

• The frame for our government• Breaks the government into three branches– Legislative– Executive– Judicial

• Explains the powers of each branch• Creates checks and balances and separates

power.

Separation of Powers

Consider this scenario. Your government has created a law not to chew gum. However, your government consists of one person. Being the gum chewer that you are, you decide to break the law because you think it is unfair. When you get caught the person who made the law tries you and finds you guilty. How would you feel?

Legislative

• Bicameral (two houses)• House of Representatives (serve 2 years)

• Senate (serve 6 years)• Create Laws

Executive

• President– 35 years– Natural born citizen– influences legislation– Commander in Chief

• federal departments– Department of Defense– Department of Education

• Enforces laws

Judicial

• Supreme Court and federal courts• Interpret laws

Government of Canada

Constitutional Monarchy

• Still have a King or Queen• Limited power given to them through a

constitution• 3 branches– Legislative– Executive– Judicial

Legislative

• Parliament– Monarch (represented

by Governor General)– House of Commons– Senate

• Create Laws• Elected officials• Leader of Majority Party

becomes Prime Minister

Executive

• Sovereign– Queen of England– mainly ceremonial

• Governor General– Acts of Sovereign’s behalf– Commander in Chief

• Prime Minister– Guides and leads legislation

Judicial

• Interprets laws of the Canadian Constitution• Supreme court– Highest court

• Lower courts below it