An Overview of the American Government

Daily Objective: Summarize the role of government in society

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 Goverment• 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

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)

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

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

Political Parties• Not anticipated by founding

fathers• Not provided for in

Declaration, Constitution• 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

• Economic: Emphasis on protecting (most) individual liberties, gov’t regulation of marketplace

• Foreign relations: preference towards multi-lateral actions, skeptical of unilateral efforts

Republicans (Conservatives)• Basic philosophy:

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

• Economic: Emphasis on slowing individual innovation, free market principles

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