5. Political system of the usa. Political parties in the usa, their policies.

Structure of the U.S. Political System

1. Three Branches of Government

Legislative (Congress):

Bicameral: Senate (100 members—2 per state) + House of Representatives (435 members, based on state population).

Makes laws, controls budget, declares war, confirms appointments.

Executive (President):

Head of state and government.

Enforces laws, commands military, negotiates treaties, appoints federal judges and cabinet.

Serves a 4-year term, max two terms (22nd Amendment).

Judicial (Federal Courts):

U.S. Supreme Court (9 justices, appointed for life) interprets the Constitution.

Can strike down laws as unconstitutional (judicial review, established in Marbury v. Madison, 1803).

2. Federalism

Power shared between federal government and state governments.

States control education, police, elections, and intrastate commerce; federal government handles defense, foreign policy, and interstate issues.

3. Electoral System

Presidential elections: Through the Electoral College (538 electors). A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win.

Fun fact: It’s possible—and has happened—to win the popular vote but lose the election (2000, 2016).

Congressional elections: Every 2 years (House all seats; Senate 1/3).

No national voter ID law: Rules vary by state (leading to debates over access vs. fraud).

Political Parties in the USA

The U.S. has a de facto two-party system, dominated by the Democratic and Republican parties. Third parties exist but rarely win major offices due to the "first-past-the-post" electoral system.

1. Democratic Party

Founded: 1828 (oldest active political party in the world)

Symbol: Donkey (coined by cartoonist Thomas Nast in 1870s)

Core Base: Urban voters, younger Americans, racial/ethnic minorities, college-educated professionals, LGBTQ+ communities, labor unions.

Key Policy Positions:

Economy: Support progressive taxation, higher minimum wage, stronger regulation of corporations.

Healthcare: Favor expanding government role (e.g., public options, protecting/ expanding the Affordable Care Act).

Climate & Environment: Strong support for climate action, renewable energy, rejoining international agreements (e.g., Paris Accord).

Social Issues: Pro-choice (support abortion rights), LGBTQ+ rights, gun control, criminal justice reform.

Immigration: Support pathways to citizenship, DACA protection, humane border policies.

Interesting Facts:

The party was originally pro-slavery in the 1800s! The modern ideological flip occurred during the Civil Rights Movement (1960s).

Barack Obama (2008) was the first African American president—and a Democrat.

The term “liberal” in U.S. politics usually refers to Democrats, though it aligns more with social democracy globally.

2. Republican Party

Founded: 1854 (in opposition to the expansion of slavery)

Symbol: Elephant (also by Thomas Nast)

Core Base: Rural voters, white evangelicals, business owners, military/veterans, older Americans.

Key Policy Positions:

Economy: Favor lower taxes, deregulation, free-market capitalism, reduced government spending.

Healthcare: Oppose government-run systems; support market-based reforms.

Climate & Environment: Skeptical of aggressive climate policies; support fossil fuel industries and energy independence.

Social Issues: Generally pro-life (oppose abortion), support gun rights (2nd Amendment), emphasize religious liberty.

Immigration: Favor strict border control, merit-based immigration, and limiting undocumented migration.

Interesting Facts:

The GOP ("Grand Old Party") elected Abraham Lincoln as its first president (1860)—and led the fight to end slavery.

The party dominated U.S. politics from 1860–1932, then shifted rightward after the Southern Strategy of the 1960s–70s attracted white Southern voters.

Donald Trump’s presidency (2017–2021) marked a shift toward populism, nationalism, and anti-establishment rhetoric—reshaping the party’s identity.

Third Parties & Movements

While rarely winning, they influence debates:

• Libertarian Party

Advocates minimal government, maximum individual liberty.

Pro-gun, anti-war, pro-drug legalization, anti-tax.

Ran candidates in every presidential election since 1972.

• Green Party

Focus: Environmentalism, social justice, nonviolence, grassroots democracy.

Ralph Nader’s 2000 run is often blamed by Democrats for drawing votes from Al Gore in Florida—possibly swinging the election to George W. Bush.

• Constitution Party

Ultra-conservative, Christian nationalist, anti-abortion, anti-LGBTQ+ rights.

Why don’t third parties succeed?

Winner-takes-all elections: No proportional representation.

Ballot access laws: Vary by state and can be restrictive.

Debate rules: Require 15% polling support to join presidential debates (almost impossible for third parties).

🔍 Fascinating Facts About U.S. Politics

The U.S. has no “Labour” or “Conservative” party like the UK—its party system evolved uniquely around federalism and slavery.

Party symbols weren’t official: The donkey and elephant were popularized by 19th-century political cartoons—not party decisions.

Washington warned against parties: In his 1796 Farewell Address, George Washington called factions a threat to unity.

Swing states decide elections: Just 7 states (e.g., PA, MI, WI, AZ, GA, NV, NC) often determine the presidency due to polarized, evenly split voters.

Primary system is uniquely American: Parties let voters (not just insiders) choose nominees—leading to outsider candidates like Trump or Sanders.

Gerrymandering: Parties redraw district lines to favor themselves—undermining fair representation. Some states now use independent commissions to fix this.

Current Political Climate (as of 2025)

Deep polarization: The ideological gap between Democrats and Republicans is the widest since the Civil War era.

Rise of populism: Both left (Bernie Sanders-style) and right (Trump-style) challenge establishment politics.

Youth engagement: Young voters increasingly progressive on climate, racial justice, and student debt—but turnout remains inconsistent.