English for Future Lawyers. Учебное пособие для студентов СПО, обучающихся по специальности 40.02.01 – «Право и организация социального обеспечения»

I. Find the English equivalents in the text.

II. Translate the sentences. Mark them True or False. Find the information in the text to prove your answer.

A.

1.State governments have nothing in common (общее).

2.All states have a Senate and a House of Commons.

3.State laws mustn’t contradict federal laws.

4.Local laws and regulations don’t have to fit a state’s constitution.

5.Federal and state rights are the same thing.

B.

1.State and local governments are alike.

2.The state government gives a charter to the local government.

3.The local charter is a document about public schools.

4.School boards discuss duties of local governments.

5.State courts consider small disputes and traffic law problems.

6.State courts usually deal with one area of law.

III. Answer the questions.

A.

1.Why have the states been called «laboratories of democracy»?

2.What basic structures do state governments share?

3.All must respect the federal laws. What does it mean?

4.What is the role of modern judicial interpretations?

5.Do the rights of local communities differ in the USA and other countries?

B.

1.What are the types of local governments?

2.Which is one of the most important functions of local governments?

3.Why do people want to take part in making decisions about schools?

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4.What does a court system of local government do?

5.Who works in local courts?

6.Why do local courts specialize in one area?

IV. Find the following words in the word search.

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UNIT 9

THE US POLITICAL PARTIES

The Democratic Party is the oldest party in the United States. In 1829, Andrew Jackson became the first Democratic President. Since that time, the issues of the nation and the ideas of the party have changed. Both the major parties have liberal and conservative members but in general people consider the Democrats today more liberal than the Republicans. Democrats often want the government to establish social programs for people in

need, such as the poor, the unemployed, and the elderly. They usually say they believe in equal rights for women and minorities and they oppose nuclear weapon and too much military spending. The symbol of the Democratic Party is the donkey.

The Republican Party, sometimes called the G.O.P, (the Grand Old Party), began in 1854 over the issue of slavery. Republicans oppose slavery. The first Republican candidate to become President was Abraham Lincoln. After the Civil War, Republicans got interested in farm, land, and business issues. In general, Republicans vote more conservatively than

Democrats. They want government to support big business but not to control the lives of citizens. They often oppose government spending for social programs but support military spending. The party symbol is the elephant.

Vocabulary notes

nuclear weapon – ядерное оружие; slavery – рабство.

I. Find the English equivalents in the text.

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1.It is the oldest political party in the United States.

2.It is sometimes called the G.O.P.

3.Its first President was Abraham Lincoln.

4.Its first President was Andrew Jackson.

5.It is generally more liberal than the other party.

6.Its members usually prefer to spend tax money for military purposes rather than for social programs.

7.Its members do not want the government to control the lives of individuals.

8.The party symbol is the donkey.

POLITICAL PARTIES (II)

The U.S. Constitution does not talk about political parties, but they began during George Washington's term of office. On one side were the Federalists. They wanted a strong federal government. On the other side, the Democratic-Republicans wanted to limit the power of the national government. Their leader was Thomas Jefferson, and their group later became the Democratic Party.

Some of the early political parties, such as the Federalists and the Whigs, no longer exist. Since 1854, the two major parties have been the Democrats and the Republicans. Smaller parties have lasted for only a short time. "Third parties" have won in local elections, but their candidates have never won a Presidential election.

Many people say that there is not much difference between the Republican and Democratic Parties. «Liberal» politicians usually favor reform (change) and progress. «Conservative» politicians usually oppose change. But both liberal and conservative members belong to the two major political parties, and their ideas often change with the times and the issues.

I. Find the English equivalents in the text.

II. Mark the sentences true (T) or false (F). Prove your answer.

1.Political parties began in the 19th century.

2.The Democratic-Republicans opposed the Federalists.

3.The Federalists wanted to limit the powers of the national government.

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4.T. Jefferson was a federalist.

5.The Democrats and the Republicans became the two major parties in 1854.

6.«Third parties» sometimes win presidential elections.

7.«Liberal» and «Conservative» politicians have the same political ideas.

8.Republican and Democratic parties differ greatly.

CLAUSES OF TIME AND CONDITION

I. Which is right? Choose the correct form.

1.I wait / I’ll wait here until you come / will comeback. (I’ll wait and you come are right)

2.I'm going to bed when I finish / I’ll finish my work.

3.We come / We'll come and see you when we're / we'll bein England again.

4.When I see / I'll see you tomorrow, I show / I’ll show you the photographs.

5.Would you like something to drink before you go / you'll go to bed?

6.Don't go out yet. Wait until the rain stops / will stop.

7.She's going away soon. I'm / I'll be very sad when she leaves / she'll leave.

8.I'm going to New York next month. While I'm / I'll be there, I hope to see lots of old friends.

9.A: Don't forget to give me your address.

B: Okay, I give / I'll give it to you before I go / I'll go.

II. Choose the correct form.

1.If I don’t feel / won’t feel well tomorrow, I stay / I’ll stay at home.

2.If the weather is / will be nice tomorrow, we can go to the beach.

3.It will be difficult to find a hotel if we arrive / will arrive late.

4.The alarm will ring if there is / will be a fire.

5.I’m / I’ll be surprised if they get / they’ll get married.

6.Do you go / Will you go to the party if they invite /they’ll invite you?

III. Complete these sentences using the verbs in brackets. All the sentences are about the future. Use will/won't or the present simple (I see / he plays / it is etc.).

A.

1If I find your book, I will give it to you. (find/give)

2She will phone us if she has any problems. (phone/have)

3If you ......... to the party, I ......... with you. (go/come)

4She ......... very happy if she ......... that new job. (not be/not get)

5If you ......... with us, you ......... a great time. (come/have)

6I ......... for you if you ......... late. (not wait/be)

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ELECTIONS IN THE USA

Anyone who is an American citizen, at least 18 years оf age, and is registered to vote may vote. Each state has the right to determine registration procedures. A number of civic groups, such as the League of Women Voters, are actively trying to register as many people as possible. Voter registration and voting among minorities has dramatically increased during the last twenty years, especially as a result of the Civil Rights Movement. There is some concern, however, about the number of citizens who could vote in national elections but do not.

Americans who want to vote must register, that is put down their names in register before the actual elections take place. There are 50 different registration laws in the US – one set for each state. In the South, voters often have to register not only locally but also at the county seat. In European countries, on the other hand, «permanent registration» of voters is most common. Of those voters in the United States who register usually more than 80 per cent cast their ballots.

The National Presidential elections consist of two separate campaigns. One is for the nomination of candidates at national party convention, the other is to win the actual election. The first stage is called «primaries». The party convention votes to select the party's official candidate for the

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presidency. Then the candidates start Presidential campaigns. At last in November, the voters go to the polls.

In November voters in each state give their votes for candidates. By practice the electors must vote for the candidate who gets majority of votes in their state even if his majority is very small. Before voting in November every citizen must register in accordance with the laws of his state. This gives him the right of participating in «primaries». The US constitution guarantees every citizen the right to vote but the states with the help of numerous qualifications deprive a lot of people of this right. And those who do vote can only make their choice practically between two sets of candidates – Democrats and Republicans whose political platforms are practically alike.

Vocabulary notes

to register to vote – зарегистрироваться для голосования; procedure – процедура;

minority – меньшинство (зд. национальное); dramatically – значительно;

that is – т.е.;

to set a law – создать закон; county – избирательный округ; to cast a ballot – проголосовать;

nomination – выдвижение кандидата.

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UNIT 10

RUSSIAN POLITICAL SYSTEM

A.

According to the Constitution adopted in 1993, the Russian Federation is a presidential republic. Just like political systems in other countries, our political system also has three branches of power: legislative, executive and judicial.

The Federal Assembly represents the legislative branch of power. It is also made up of two houses: the Federation Council and the State Duma, which make laws. Both the houses are headed by chairmen called speakers. Russia is divided into 85 federal subjects. Each subject elects two representatives to the Federation Council, so there are 178 members in the Federation Council. The State Duma consists of 450 deputies. 225 members are elected directly by the people. The other half of deputies is appointed by their parties after party-list voting according to which every party gains a number of seats. The main function of the Federal Assembly is to make laws. Every law must be approved by the State Duma and the Federation Council and signed by the President.

The Federal Government represents the executive branch of power. It consists of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers.

The President is the head of state in Russia, and he is elected directly by the people. In fact, he has a lot of power. The President can even dissolve the State Duma if it doesn't agree with his suggestions three times running. The President has his Administration, but it is not part of the Federal Government. The President is involved in the work of the legislative and executive branches.

B.

The judicial branch of power is represented by the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court. The Supreme Court is the highest court for civil and criminal cases. The responsibility of the Constitutional Court is to determine whether new laws or actions of the President correspond to the Constitution. The Constitution is the main law of Russia. It guarantees the rights and freedoms of Russian citizens.

Russian political system also has "the system of checks and balances" like that in the USA. For example, the President appoints the heads of the Federal Government and the Chairman of the Government, but the State Duma must approve his appointment. The President can veto laws passed by the Federal Assembly, but the Federal Assembly can pass laws over the President's veto by a two-thirds majority. The Constitutional Court has the right to declare actions of the President, the Federal Assembly and the Federal Government unconstitutional.

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There are many political parties in our country. The most well-known are the Communist Party, the Liberal Democratic Party, the "Unity" Party, the Union of the Right Forces and the "Apple" Party.

The parties currently represented in the State Duma include United Russia (340), Communist Party (42), Liberal Democratic Party (40), A Just Russia (23), Rodina (1), Civic Platform (1).

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Use the words.

Chairman, Federal Assembly, judicial, Federal Council, Speaker, representative, legislative, deputy, Federal Government, Prime Minister, Cabinet, executive, President, State Duma.

III. Find the English equivalents in the text.

8)назначать;

9)одобрять;

10)исполнительная ветвь власти;

5)the Supreme

6)the Communist

7)to veto

8)the Constitutional

9)criminal

V. Answer the questions.

1.What political system does the Russian Federation represent?

2.How many branches are there in the political system of Russia?

3.Which institutions exercise the legislative, executive and judicial power?

4.What is each branch of power responsible for?

5.How do the branches of power interact?

6.Who is the head of state in Russia? Does he have much power?

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