The system of government. The operation of the US government is based on the US Consti­tution which was adopted by Congress in 1789

The operation of the US government is based on the US Consti­tution which was adopted by Congress in 1789.

Under the federal system of government some of the most important powers are given to the federal (or national) government. The rest of the powers are exercised by the states.

The national government is composed of three branches: the executive, the legis­lative, and the judicial.

The executive Power is vested in a President of the United States of America.

US President

■ suggests legislation to Congress

■ issues executive orders, rules and regulations with the force of legislation

■ may veto legislation passed by Congress

■ appoints federal judges

■ may grand pardons from punishment for offences against the United States.

All legislative Powers are vested in a Congress of the United States, which consists of a Senate and House of Representatives.

US Congress

■ appropriates for Executive

■ may create or abolish Executive Departments

■ may impeach and try members of the Executive Branch

■ may override a Presidential veto

■ the Senate must approve Presidential appointments and treaties

■ appropriates funds for the Judiciary

■ may create or abolish lower federal courts

■ may impeach and try members of the judiciary

■ decides how many justices may sit on the Supreme Court.

The judicial Power of the United States is vested in one Supreme Court and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.

US Supreme Court

■ may declare Congressional legislation unconstitutional

■ may declare any Presidential or Executive action unconstitutional.

Certain powers are given to each of the branches, but these powers overlap in such a way that the powers of one branch are limited by the powers of the others. This arrangement is known as the system of checks and balances. It is a basic part of the structure of the American governmental system. No person or insti­tution can have unlimited authority. Each branch of the national government shares and limits some of the powers of the other branches.

The system of checks and balances is clearly illustrated by the president’s relations with the Congress. The president proposes legis­lation, but the Congress does not have to enact it. He cannot put a treaty into effect without approval by two-thirds of the Senate. In 1973 the legislature limited the President’s powers as commander-in-chief by prohibiting commandment of armed forces abroad for combat without specific congressional approval. The Senate must approve most of the president’s appointments to the executive and judicial branches.

Another example of «checks and balances» is that the Congress must authorize money that is used to pay for programs which are administered by the executive branch. In this way the legislature exercises an important check on the executive branch and the power of the president. The financial authority or spending power of the legislature checks the spending power of the president. The national government’s power is not limited by states’ power. The only powers the states have are those the Federal government has not reserved for itself. But in a dispute the Federal government can and will use military force if necessary, e.g. integration of schools in Little Rock, Arkansas in the 1850s.

The powers of the national and state governments are limited by certain constitutional guarantees of civil liberties for individual citizens. These guarantees are known as the Bill of Rights. They are amendments to the original constitution. They forbid the government from restricting or limiting such civil liberties as freedom of speech, of religion, and of the press, and they guarantee to all citizens (at least in principle) certain legal procedures and rights.

The powers of the federal (national) government include the right to declare war; the right to tax; the right to borrow and coin money, and to regulate its value; the right to regulate commerce between the states; the right to maintain a postal system.

Every state has its own constitution. It also has the three-branches-of--government structure. State chief executives are called governors, and state legislators are usually known as representatives and senators.

The powers of the state are to control education, regulate corporations and businesses within the state, determine most election procedures, and regulate local governments. The states also make and administer civil (citizens’ private rights) and criminal laws.

The Constitution has been amended 26 times. An amendment may be proposed by the federal legislature or by a constitutional convention, or a meeting of representatives from two-thirds of the states. In either case the amendment must be approved by three-fourths of the state legislature.