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An Overview of the American Government

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.

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An Overview of the American Government

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  1. An Overview of the American Government Current Issues – Libertyville HS

  2. 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?

  3. 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!

  4. 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

  5. Structure of American Goverment • Three branches • Executive • Legislative • Judicial • Before looking at each branch, which do you think is … • the most powerful? • The most important? • The most representative?

  6. 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)

  7. 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)

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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?)

  11. Differences Between Political Parties Democrats (Liberals) Republicans (Conservatives) Basic philosophy: Government should be limited to allow individuals the ability to do best for themselves Emphasis on slowing individual innovation, free market principles Foreign relations: unilateral action ok; skeptical of multi-national efforts • Basic philosophy: Government is a positive force, to improve people’s lives • Emphasis on protecting (most) individual liberties (examples), gov’t regulation of marketplace • Foreign relations: preference towards multi-lateral actions, skeptical of unilateral efforts

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