TIANJIN FOREIGN STUDIES UNIVERSITY American Culture Unit Eleven UNIT 11 The American Political System

TIANJIN FOREIGN STUDIES UNIVERSITY

American CultureAmerican CultureUnit Eleven

UNIT 11

The American Political The American Political SystemSystem


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The American Political SystemThe American Political System

A wise and frugal government shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement.

--Thomas Jefferson


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The American Political SystemThe American Political System

Americans are a nation born of an idea; not the place, but the idea created the United States Government.

--Theodore H. White


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I. The American ConstitutionI. The American Constitution

The Constitution of the United States is the oldest written The Constitution of the United States is the oldest written constitution in the world today. constitution in the world today. One of the reasons for its longevity is that the framers used One of the reasons for its longevity is that the framers used broad enough language to allow room for interpretation. broad enough language to allow room for interpretation. The US Supreme Court has become the ultimate decision The US Supreme Court has become the ultimate decision maker when it comes to deciding what the seven thousand maker when it comes to deciding what the seven thousand words in the Constitution mean and how they should be words in the Constitution mean and how they should be applied. applied. But the views of the justices of the Supreme Court have But the views of the justices of the Supreme Court have changed over time as society has changed. changed over time as society has changed. Because the principles of the Constitution are broadly Because the principles of the Constitution are broadly expressed, the Supreme Court has been able to apply those expressed, the Supreme Court has been able to apply those principles to meet the needs of new generations.principles to meet the needs of new generations.Because of its flexibility and adaptability, the Constitution is Because of its flexibility and adaptability, the Constitution is often referred to as a “living constitution”.often referred to as a “living constitution”.


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The historical and political context in which this country’s The historical and political context in which this country’s government machinery was formed is essential to understanding government machinery was formed is essential to understanding American government and politics today. American government and politics today.

It is not the result of completely creative thinking. Many of its It is not the result of completely creative thinking. Many of its provisions were grounded in contemporary political philosophy. provisions were grounded in contemporary political philosophy.

The delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 brought The delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 brought with them two important sets of influences: their political culture with them two important sets of influences: their political culture and their political experience. and their political experience.

In the years between the first settlements in the New World and In the years between the first settlements in the New World and the writing of the Constitution, Americans had developed a the writing of the Constitution, Americans had developed a political philosophy about how people should be governed and political philosophy about how people should be governed and had tried out numerous forms of government. had tried out numerous forms of government.

These experiences gave the founders the tools with which they These experiences gave the founders the tools with which they constructed the Constitution.constructed the Constitution.


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•A. The Articles of A. The Articles of ConfederationConfederation•Confederation means a Confederation means a voluntary association of voluntary association of independent states, in which independent states, in which the member states agree to the member states agree to only limited restraints on their only limited restraints on their freedom of action. The most freedom of action. The most fundamental weakness fundamental weakness concerned probably the lack of concerned probably the lack of power to collect tax from the power to collect tax from the states.states.

The American Constitution

•B. The Constitutional B. The Constitutional ConventionConvention•May to September 12, 1787, 55 May to September 12, 1787, 55 men presentmen present

•Among the important problems Among the important problems to be solved were the to be solved were the relationship between the states relationship between the states and the central government, the and the central government, the powers of the national powers of the national legislature, the need for legislature, the need for executive leadership, and the executive leadership, and the establishment of policies for establishment of policies for economic stability.economic stability.


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I. Philosophy of American EducationI. Philosophy of American Education

•C. The Constitution

The American Constitution

•D. The Bill of RightsD. The Bill of Rights—to—to protect individual liberties protect individual liberties against incursions by the against incursions by the national governmentnational government

•The Bill of Rights lay out the The Bill of Rights lay out the basic rights that all citizens basic rights that all citizens shall enjoy. An important right shall enjoy. An important right was the right to free speech.was the right to free speech.


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II. The Three Branches of the US GovernmentII. The Three Branches of the US Government

A. A. The legislative branchThe legislative branch1. Bicameral: House of Representatives1. Bicameral: House of Representatives—lawmakers serving two-year terms—lawmakers serving two-year terms Senate—lawmakers serving six-Senate—lawmakers serving six-year termsyear terms2. The main duty—to make laws, 2. The main duty—to make laws, including those which levy taxes that including those which levy taxes that pay for the work of the federal pay for the work of the federal governmentgovernment


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B.B.The executive branchThe executive branch1. The president and vice president1. The president and vice president2. Powers of the president—2. Powers of the president—formidable but not without limitationsformidable but not without limitations Power of the vice president—Power of the vice president—presiding officer of the Senate, who presiding officer of the Senate, who may vote in the Senate only in the may vote in the Senate only in the event of a tieevent of a tie


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C. C. The judicial branchThe judicial branch1. The Supreme Court—the only court specially 1. The Supreme Court—the only court specially created by the Constitution.created by the Constitution.Federal judges are appointed for life, and can Federal judges are appointed for life, and can only be removed from office through the only be removed from office through the process of impeachment and trial in Congressprocess of impeachment and trial in Congress2. The Supreme Court consists of Chief Justice 2. The Supreme Court consists of Chief Justice and Associate Justices. With minor exceptions, and Associate Justices. With minor exceptions, all cases reach the Court on appeal from lower all cases reach the Court on appeal from lower federal or state courts. Most of these cases federal or state courts. Most of these cases involve disputes over the interpretation of laws involve disputes over the interpretation of laws and legislation. The Court’s most important and legislation. The Court’s most important function consists of determining whether function consists of determining whether congressional legislation or executive action congressional legislation or executive action violates the Constitution.violates the Constitution.3. Marbury v. Madison case of 18033. Marbury v. Madison case of 1803


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III. Political PartiesIII. Political Parties

The general orientation of the political party is that of striving The general orientation of the political party is that of striving for power. The United States has two major political parties, for power. The United States has two major political parties, which have a long tradition dating back to 1790s. The which have a long tradition dating back to 1790s. The function and character of these political parties, as well as function and character of these political parties, as well as the emergence of the two-party system itself, have much to the emergence of the two-party system itself, have much to do with the unique historical forces operating from this do with the unique historical forces operating from this country’s beginning as an independent nation.country’s beginning as an independent nation.

A. The two-party system


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1The election systemIt elects only one individual at a time—a representative, senator, or presidentMore coalitions, fewer parties.

2

2. The effect of the presidencyTo elect a president candidate requires a vast coalition of interests throughout the country. A president elected with coalition support is somewhat responsive to the demands of each interest within the coalition.

III. Political PartiesIII. Political PartiesA. The two-party system


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3

The division of interestsThere tends to be a polarization of interests on any problem in the United States.

III. Political PartiesIII. Political PartiesA. The two-party system


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1. The creation of parties (1789-1800)1. The creation of parties (1789-1800)(1) No such a thing as a neutral political figure(1) No such a thing as a neutral political figure(2) Federalist and Antifederalist(2) Federalist and Antifederalist

5. The Progressive 5. The Progressive period (1896-1928)period (1896-1928)(1) Republican (1) Republican dominancedominance(2) Schism in the (2) Schism in the Republican Party—Republican Party—formation of the formation of the Progressive PartyProgressive Party(3) Collapse of the (3) Collapse of the Progressive Party in Progressive Party in 19211921

4. The Post-Civil War period (1865-1896)4. The Post-Civil War period (1865-1896)(1) Disruption of the two-party system(1) Disruption of the two-party system(2) Hatred-charged schism—conflicts between (2) Hatred-charged schism—conflicts between the Republicans and the Democratsthe Republicans and the Democrats

2. The era of one-2. The era of one-party rule, or party rule, or personal politics personal politics (1800-1824)(1800-1824)From 1800-1824, a From 1800-1824, a majority of US majority of US voters regularly voters regularly elected Democratic elected Democratic Republicans to the Republicans to the presidency and to presidency and to CongressCongress..

development

3. From Andrew Jackson to just prior 3. From Andrew Jackson to just prior to the Civil War (1828-1860)to the Civil War (1828-1860)(1) Intraparty rivalry(1) Intraparty rivalry(2) Jackson’s supporters and the (2) Jackson’s supporters and the Clay-Adams bloc—the Democratic Clay-Adams bloc—the Democratic Party and the Whig PartyParty and the Whig PartyThe Whig Party was unable to The Whig Party was unable to maintain a common ideological base maintain a common ideological base and divided over the issue of slavery and divided over the issue of slavery in late 1840s. It fell apart in 1850s.in late 1840s. It fell apart in 1850s.

6. The modern period (from 6. The modern period (from 1932)1932)(1) Successive Democratic (1) Successive Democratic administrationadministration(2) True era of divided (2) True era of divided government from G. Bushgovernment from G. Bush(3) Continuing division of (3) Continuing division of political and economic political and economic interestsinterests

III. Political PartiesIII. Political PartiesB. The historical development of American political parties


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IV. Campaigns and ElectionsIV. Campaigns and Elections

Political campaigns are at the heart of a democratic Political campaigns are at the heart of a democratic political system. When voters go to the polls and political system. When voters go to the polls and choose between candidates who have presented their choose between candidates who have presented their views on leadership and policy, the citizens are views on leadership and policy, the citizens are exercising the fundamental right to choose the exercising the fundamental right to choose the leadership of the nation and, thus, to direct national leadership of the nation and, thus, to direct national policy.policy.


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The framers of the Constitution wanted to avoid the selection of The framers of the Constitution wanted to avoid the selection of president and vice president by the excitable masses. president and vice president by the excitable masses.

Rather they wished the choice to be made by a few supposedly Rather they wished the choice to be made by a few supposedly dispassionate, reasonable men. dispassionate, reasonable men.

The Electoral College was devised as a compromise between The Electoral College was devised as a compromise between having presidents elected by Congress or by popular votes.having presidents elected by Congress or by popular votes.

It is a body that elects the president and vice-president.It is a body that elects the president and vice-president.

Each state is represented by the same number of members as in Each state is represented by the same number of members as in its congressional delegation. its congressional delegation.

The voters vote for electors who will cast their ballots in the The voters vote for electors who will cast their ballots in the Electoral College. Electoral College.

The total number of electors is 538, allotted to each state The total number of electors is 538, allotted to each state corresponding to the number of Representatives and Senators corresponding to the number of Representatives and Senators that each state sends to Congress.that each state sends to Congress.

A. The Electoral College


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1. The candidates receiving 51% of the electoral vote (270 of 538) 1. The candidates receiving 51% of the electoral vote (270 of 538) wins the Presidency.wins the Presidency.

2. The principle of “winner takes all”—it is possible that the 2. The principle of “winner takes all”—it is possible that the candidate who wins the most popular votes nationwide could candidate who wins the most popular votes nationwide could lose the electoral vote and thus the presidency.lose the electoral vote and thus the presidency.

3. If no candidate receives a majority of the electoral votes, the 3. If no candidate receives a majority of the electoral votes, the decision goes to the House.decision goes to the House.

B. Voting



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•C. The ConstitutionC. The Constitution

•1. New form of government and plan for the 1. New form of government and plan for the governmentgovernment

•(1) A federal system with a strong central government(1) A federal system with a strong central government

•(2) The election of a national leader, or a president(2) The election of a national leader, or a president

•(3) A Congress made up of representatives(3) A Congress made up of representatives

•(4) A national court system headed by the Supreme (4) A national court system headed by the Supreme CourtCourt

•2. Tow main fears and ways out2. Tow main fears and ways out

•(1) Creation of tyranny and formation of a three-(1) Creation of tyranny and formation of a three-branch government: checks and balancesbranch government: checks and balances

•The major checks and balances among the three The major checks and balances among the three branches are:branches are:


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•The president proposes laws and can veto The president proposes laws and can veto congressional legislations: the president makes congressional legislations: the president makes treaties, executive agreements, and executive treaties, executive agreements, and executive orders; the president can refuse congressional orders; the president can refuse congressional legislation; the president can call special sessions legislation; the president can call special sessions of Congress.of Congress.

•The Congress makes legislation and can override The Congress makes legislation and can override a presidential veto of its legislation; the Congress a presidential veto of its legislation; the Congress can impeach and remove a president; the Senate can impeach and remove a president; the Senate must confirm presidential appointments and must confirm presidential appointments and consent to the president’s treaties based on a two-consent to the president’s treaties based on a two-third’s concurrence; the Congress has the power third’s concurrence; the Congress has the power of the purse and provides funds for the president’s of the purse and provides funds for the president’s programs.programs.

•The president nominates federal judges; the The president nominates federal judges; the president can refuse to enforce the Court’s president can refuse to enforce the Court’s decision; the president grants pardons. decision; the president grants pardons.


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•The Supreme Court can declare presidential The Supreme Court can declare presidential actions unconstitutional.actions unconstitutional.

•The Supreme Court can declare congressional The Supreme Court can declare congressional laws unconstitutional.laws unconstitutional.

•The Supreme Court can declare federal or state The Supreme Court can declare federal or state acts unconstitutional.acts unconstitutional.

•Congress can rewrite legislation to circumvent the Congress can rewrite legislation to circumvent the Court’s decisions; the Senate confirms federal Court’s decisions; the Senate confirms federal judges; Congress determines the number of judges; Congress determines the number of judges.judges.

•(2) Weakening of state governments and (2) Weakening of state governments and establishment of fundamental principlesestablishment of fundamental principles

•Popular sovereignty, or control by the people.Popular sovereignty, or control by the people.

•A republican government in which the people A republican government in which the people choose representatives to make decision for them.choose representatives to make decision for them.


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•Limited government with written laws, in contrast Limited government with written laws, in contrast to the powerful monarchical English government to the powerful monarchical English government against which the colonists had rebelled.against which the colonists had rebelled.

•Separation of powers, with checks and balances Separation of powers, with checks and balances among branches to prevent any one branch from among branches to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.gaining too much power.

•A federal system that allowed for states’ rights, A federal system that allowed for states’ rights, because the states feared too much centralized because the states feared too much centralized control.control.

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TIANJIN FOREIGN STUDIES UNIVERSITY American Culture Unit Eleven UNIT 11 The American Political System