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The Government of the USA
The United States of America is divided into 50 states and the District of Columbia, where its capital, Washington, is located. Each state has its own government and laws, but there is one federal government, which directs national and international affairs. The US constitution mandates a federal government composed of three branches: the executive, the legislative and the judicial.
The president is the head of the executive branch. Unlike many other countries, where the president is elected by the parliament, the president and the Vice president of the United States are elected for a four-year term by a popular election. The president must be a natural-born citizen, a resident of the country for 14 years, and at least 35 years old.
The cabinet, people he appoints to head major departments assist the president. These are like ministries in many countries but the positions and their departments are not part of the constitution.
The president gives final approval to laws adopted by Congress, appoints judges and directs the activity of the government.
According to the constitution, the legislative branch of the government is Congress, which consists of two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The members of the House of Representatives are elected for two-year terms. The number of representatives from each state depends on the number of people who live in that state. Senators are elected for six-year terms. There are two senators from each state, no matter how large or small it is. One third of the Senate is elected every two years.
Every law is discussed and must be adopted by both houses of Congress. Then it must be approved by the president. If the president does not approve a law, Congress can adopt it anyway, if two thirds of the members in each house agree to do so.
All citizens over 21 years of age have the right to vote. The government may not prevent anyone from voting because of religion, race, gender or national origin. National elections are held every two years at the beginning of November.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the country and the head of the judicial branch. It has one chief justice (judge) and eight associate justices. The president appoints these judges for life, but the Senate must approve his choices.
The constitution was created to make sure that no branch of the government became more powerful than the others. The president directs the policies of the government but must obey the laws adopted by Congress. Congress adopts laws, but the president usually must agree to the laws. The president appoints judges to the Supreme Court, but the Senate must agree to his appointments, and once a judge is on the Supreme Court, that judge cannot be removed for any decision he or she makes. The Supreme Court can cancel laws made by Congress and the president if a majority of the judges agree that the law does not agree with the constitution. The constitution is the highest authority. This system of making sure that no branch becomes more powerful than the others is known as the “checks and balances” that maintain the balance of power.
In the United States there are two main political parties, the Democratic and the Republican parties.
1. Where is the capital of the USA located?
2. What are the three parts of the US government called? What person or group is in charge of each?
3. Who can be elected president of the United States?
4. Who must approve new laws?
5. What are the two main political parties?
Discussion Questions
1. Why is the US capital not located in any state?
2. Why are judges on the Supreme Court given that job for life? How are judges in Uzbekistan chosen? How long is their term?
3. Who can vote in Uzbekistan?
4. Which branch of the US government is most powerful? Why? How do “checks and balances” affect this?
5. What are the branches of the Uzbek government? Which is most powerful? Why?
6.Who must approve new laws in Uzbekistan?
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