An Overview of the American Government

Current Issues – Libertyville HS

First Principles

• What are the ideals upon which America rests?– Democracy– Liberty / Freedom– Equality– Capitalism– Majority rule– … and many more

• Where do we get these ideals from?

Foundation of American Government• Declaration of

Independence– Read the first two paragraphs– Principles contained in the

document?– Why was this such a radical

document for its time?• Laid out principles of

governance• Gave justification for

overthrowing any government• Not a monarchy!

Foundation of American Government• US Constitution

– “Grand experiment in democracy”

– First government in history to be set up based on a piece of paper

• Principles of US Constitution– Popular sovereignty– Limited government– Separation of powers– Checks and balances– Federalism– Judicial Review

Structure of American Government

• Three branches– Executive– Legislative– Judicial

• Before looking at each branch, which do you think is …– the most powerful?– The most important?– The most representative?

Legislative Branch• What does it do? – Makes the laws– How a bill becomes a law

• Who runs it?– House (435 members):

Speaker of the House– Senate (100 members):

Majority Leader (President pro tempore)

• Basis in Constitution?– Article I lays out powers of

both chambers (examples of Congress, House, Senate)

The Executive Branch• What does it do?

– Enforce the laws– When you think of “the

Government”, the Executive Branch is it!

• Who runs it?– President– Bureaucracy (agencies,

departments, etc)• Basis in Constitution?

– Article II lays out powers of President (examples)

Judicial Branch• What does it do?– Interpret the laws– Judicial Review

• Who runs it?– US Supreme Court = 1 chief

justice, 8 associate justices– Appellate courts– District courts (lowest level)

• Basis in Constitution?– Article III– Only the USSC was created in

Constitution; all other courts created by Congress

Federalism• Idea that local issues

should be handled by local government

• Why?– Closest to the problem– Big country, lots of

differences between states• National issues handled

by national government– “Floor” and “Ceiling” effect

of national lawmaking

Political Parties• Not anticipated by founding

fathers• Not provided for in

Declaration, Constitution• Came about shortly after

founding (Federalists / Anti-Federalists)

• Today, two major parties– Democrats– Republicans

• Third Parties exist, too (examples?)

Differences Between Political Parties

Democrats (Liberals)• Basic philosophy:

Government is a positive force, to improve people’s lives

• Emphasis on protecting poor & vulnerable in society, gov’t regulation of marketplace

• Foreign relations: preference towards multi-lateral (coalition) actions, skeptical of unilateral (go it alone) efforts

Republicans (Conservatives)• Basic philosophy:

Government should be limited to allow individuals the ability to do best for themselves

• Emphasis on individual innovation, free market principles

• Foreign relations: unilateral action ok; skeptical of multi-national efforts