An Overview of the American Government
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Transcript of An Overview of the American Government
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An Overview of the American Government
Current Issues – Libertyville HS
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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?
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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!
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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
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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?
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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)
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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)
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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
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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
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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?)
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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