2. Outline
Governance System of USA
Presidential System
โฆ Requirements for Presidential Candidate
โฆ The Presidential Election
โฆ Election Process
Organs of U. S. Government
โฆ Legislative Branch
โฆ Executive Branch
โฆ Judicial Branch
Merits and Demerits
Conclusion
3. Governance System of USA
โข United States of America is a democratic state which is run on a presidential
governance system.
โข Citizens elect representatives to national, state, and local government; those
representatives create the laws that govern U.S Society.
โข The political system of USA is formed by two political parties: Democrats and
Republicans.
4. Presidential System
A presidential system is a form of government where an executive branch is in control, separately
from the legislature.
PREREQUISITES FOR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
At least 35 years old
A natural born citizen of the United States
A resident of the United States for 14 years
5. Cont.
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Elections occurs every four years on Election Day, held the first Tuesday after the first Monday
in November. The 2016 Presidential election will be held on November 8, 2016. Almost takes
an entire year.
ELECTION PROCESS
Primary and Caucuses Elections
Conventions
General Election
Electoral College
6. Organs of U. S. Government
The U.S. federal government works to serve the citizens to their best interests through Separation of
Powers system of checks and balances. Separated Powers meaning dividing the braches of
Government.
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
This branch includes Congress and several agencies that provide support services to Congress
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
It includes the president, vice president, the Cabinet, executive departments, independent agencies,
and other boards, commissions, and committees.
JUDICIAL BRANCH
The judicial branch is comprised of the Supreme Court and other federal courts.
7. Merits
(1) The tenure of the executive is fixed and the policy is carried without any fear or favor.
(2) There is unity of control in administration and there is no delay in taking decision.
(3) โSeparation of Powersโ is found in this system, which is effective for safeguard against
illogical and unjust government.
(4) It is a representative form of government. Voters exercise direct control over an extremely
powerful and influential official.
(5) This system is best suited to countries inhabited by different communities with diverse
interests, culture, traditions, etc.
8. Demerits
(1) Presidential system appears to be โautocratic, irresponsible and dangerous.โ It is autocratic
because the President is empowered to act more or less as he pleases.
(2) A failure to ensure the co-operation between law-makers and administrators. Frequent conflicts
between the legislature and the executive may lead to blocks.
(3) There is no continuous accountability of the executive to the representatives of the people in the
legislature. The fixed term of office of the executive also limits responsiveness to public opinion.
(4) It is opposed that the choice by the voter is proper for result in the election of good politician
rather than an efficient administrator.
(5) Once the President has been elected, the nation must continue with him, no matter whether it
likes or dislikes his policies.
9. Conclusion
The presidential system has been successful in the United States. Its proper functioning is best
known for the growth of the party system and the presidential leadership.
The President also has some influence on legislation. He sends a message to Congress, convenes
an extraordinary session of the `Congress and has the power to give approval for the project is
approved by Congress.
The mutual respect between the President and the Congress of America is very important as
both work together for the betterment of the people.
Primary and Caucuses Electionsย
Both the democrats and republicans pick their candidates, these are seen to be the initial elections. In primary elections the people vote in cabins whereas in caucus the people vote in an open gathering at a school, college or community hall.
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Conventions
The nominee that is selected to run for presidential election holds conventions and publically announces their candidacy and also at every convention the presidential candidate chooses a presidential mate, the vice presidents. Each candidate campaigns throughout the country to gain the support of the citizens.
General Election
In the election process, Americans head to the polls to cast their vote for President. But the popular vote does not determine the winner. Instead, Presidential election uses theย Electoral College.
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Electoral College
The Electoral College serves as a compromise between election of the President by a vote in Congress and election of the President by a popular vote of qualified citizens. There are a total of 538 electors. A candidate needs the vote of more than half (270) to win the Presidential election.
Legislative Branch
This branch includes Congress (the Senate and House of Representatives) and several agencies that provide support services to Congress. There's no limit to the number of terms an individual can serve in Senate and House of Representatives.
Senateย There are two elected senators per state, totaling 100 senators. A senate term is six years.
House of Representativesย There are 435 elected representatives, which are divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population. There are additional non-voting delegates who represent the District of Columbia and the territories. A representative serves a two-year term.
Executive Branch
Key roles of the executive branch include:
Presidentย - The president leads the country. He/she is the head of state, leader of the federal government, and commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces. The president serves a four-year term and can be elected no more than two times.
Vice Presidentย - The vice president supports the president. If the president is unable to serve, the vice president becomes president. He/she can serve an unlimited number of four-year terms.
The Cabinetย - Cabinet members serve as advisors to the president. They include the vice president and the heads ofย executive departments. Cabinet members are nominated by the president and must be approved by the Senate (with at least 51 votes).
Judicial Branch
Supreme Courtย - The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. The justices of the Supreme Court are nominated by the president and must be approved by the Senate (with at least 51 votes). Congress decides the number of justices. Currently, there are nine. There is no fixed term for justices. They serve until their death, retirement, or removal in exceptional circumstances.ย
Other Federal Courtsย - The Constitution grants Congress the authority to establish other federal courts.