The System of Checks and Balances and Separation of Powers* PresidentCabinet (Executive)
The President
can veto laws
passed by
Congress
The Court can declare presidential acts unconstitutional
Congress can pass laws over the President’s veto by a two-thirds majority
The President
appoints federal
judges
The Court can declare laws
unconstitutional
Supreme Court Federal courts (Judicial) Congress: House-Senate may reject each other’s bills (Legislative)
The Senate must confirm the
President’s judicial
appointments
separation
of
powers
– розподіл повноважень
Writing task A: answer the questions according to the information given in Text A (Part I and Part II).
1 What keeps any branch of government of the USA from gaining too much power?
2 The USA has a federalist system. What does it mean?
3 Where is the federal government located?
4 Who is the head of the executive power in the USA?
5 How often do the President's elections take place?
6 Who deals with foreign affairs in the USA?
7 Where is the legislative power vested?
8 How many members are there in the House of Representatives?
9 What is the definition for the “judicial review”?
10 What political party is in power in the USA now?
Speaking task A: use the diagram and questions from writing task A as a plan to speak about the political system of the USA.
Exercise 8 Read and translate the text.
Text b the us constitution
A “constitution” in American political language means the set of rules, laws, regulations and customs which together provide the practical norms or standards regulating the work of the government. The document, known as the US Constitution, is only a part of body of rules and customs. Supreme court decisions, interpreting parts of the US Constitution, laws, regulations and customs are part of the basic law (the so-called “live Constitution”).
On September,l7, 1787, after the War of Independence the Constitutional Convention met behind closed doors to formulate a Constitution for the US. The Constitution with some amendments is in force to this day. The US Constitution begins with the words: “We, the people…”. It consists of the Preamble, 7 articles and 26 amendments. The first ten of them are called the Bill of Rights and adopted under the popular pressure in 1791. They guarantee participation in the political process, respect for personal beliefs, personal privacy, etc. According to the Constitution every citizen has rights which can not be violated. The Constitution of the USA is flexible: it can be amended. Its basic principles can be applied and interpreted differently at different times. It is the highest form of law in the USA. Below it, in order of authority, are the laws of Congress, state constitutions, state statutes and local statutes.
The Constitution sets up a strict division or separation of powers, classifying governmental powers, as executive, legislative and judicial and entrusting* the performance of each to separate agencies (the President and his Administration, Congress and Supreme Court). The President has the power to veto acts of the legislature, but that body may override* the veto by a two-thirds vote of both houses. Moreover, the Congress may impeach the Chief Executive* and remove him from office. The Congress passes laws, but the President enforces them.
to entrust – доручати, довіряти
to override – скасовувати
Chief Executive – глава виконавчої влади
to enumerate – перераховувати
Exercise 9 Answer the questions according to the information given in Text B and translate them.
1 When was the Constitution of the USA adopted?
2 What does the Bill of Rights guarantee?
3 How many Amendments have been added to the Constitution since 1787?
4 What does the Constitution proclaim?
5 Why does the US Constitution work as well today as 200 years ago?
Exercise 10 Match the following words and word-combinations from the box with their definitions.
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suffrage ballot county treaty amend constituency term of office Bill of Rights |
1 To change or modify for the better, improve.
2 The period during which an elected officer performs functions and enjoys privileges.
3 The inhabitants of an electoral district.
4 The first ten amendments to the US Constitution.
5 Agreement made and signed between nations.
6 The right of voting in political elections.
7 Division of Great Britain, the largest unit of local government.
8 A piece of paper used during secret voting.
Exercise 11 Complete the sentences with the verbs in brackets in the Passive Voice. Analyse the grammar form and translate them. For references see the grammar supplement.
Model: In Britain, members of the House of Lords are not elected (not to elect). – Present Simple Passive.
1 Slavery (to abolish) in the USA in 1865.
2 When senators in the US (to elect), they serve a six-year term.
3 The American Declaration of Independence (to write) by Thomas Jefferson.
4 An election (to hold) every four years in the USA.
5 A new law (just, to pass) in parliament.
6 a woman president (to elect) in the future?
7 Two changes (to make) to the America Constitution in 1791.
Writing task B: complete the following information with the words from the box and translate the completed text.
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Separation of powers Federalism Checks and balances Republicanism |