M4 T3 the constitutional organs of The US Flashcards
What is the difference between the US presidential system and the parliamentary systems?
the executive and legislative bodies are independent and separate from one another.
Which of the three constitutional powers is the most independent?
The Judicial power
Who is the head of state and head of government in the US?
The President as it is a presidential republic
What is the difficulty of the role of the President?
The fact that he embodies both the function as the head of state and the head of government makes it difficult to distinguish between the different powers toe each role
What can we find in the government?
- President as the head of government.
- 15 ministerial departments
- Large number of administrative agencies
4 main powers of the president
- Direct international policy
- Head of armed forces
- To propose legislation
- To preside the executive
What is the characteristic role of the President defined by commentators?
promoter of prosperity, protector of social peace and the spokesperson of the American people
What is the role of the vice-president in the senate?
Holds the office as the President of the Senate
What is the office with the most political significance after the Presidency?
Secretary of State
Which body holds the legislative power?
Congress
- Senate
- House of Representatives
Who are the members of the senate?
Two elected members from each federate state who holds office for six years.
Who are the members of the House of Representatives?
435 members elected by way of universal suffrage who holds office for two years.
What is the role of the committees of the congress?
Study and approve bills before forwarding them to their corresponding chamber.
For a law to be passed in the American system…
it must be approved in both chambers of congress in a plenary session, and promulgated by the head of government (the president)
The election of the national and state legislators are based on a system of…
single-member constituencies in which the candidate who receives most votes wins the election.
which federal body is entrusted with establishing organisational policies for federal courts?
The Judicial conference for the United states
Which three levels do the federal jurisdiction consist of?
- 94 Federal District courts
- 12 Federal Appeal Courts
- US Supreme Court
There are also some specialized jurisdictions in certain fields such as US court of International trade
An example of a matter specified under Article III of the Constitution where Federal jurisdiction has the competence of litigation.
Disputes affecting foreign countries or the ambassadors or consuls of other countries
Is the federal supreme court a higher court with superior jurisdiction over the Supreme Courts of the federated states?
No. it only deals with cases involving questions of federal law
the federated state possesses complete, autonomous legal systems. Are these systems homogeneous?
No, there are differences between the different states such as the names of the courts or the way judges are elected.
How is the relationship between federal and federated jurisdiction?
Federal jurisdiction cannot intervene in federate jurisdiction, but are obliged to comply with federal laws.
What the most significant feature of judicial power?
The judicial review. Can control the validity of any norm passed by any judicial body.
This can be done by all US courts.
What is the system of checks and balances?
Each federal power is counterbalanced or limited to some extent by other federal powers.
Ex:
Congress can pass laws, but President can veto
Congress can again lift the veto by way of a two-thirds majority.
Courts can declare laws passed by Congress as unconstitutional
President can be impeached by Congress
