Understanding the U.S. Political and Administrative System
The Political and Administrative System of the U.S.
What Kind of Government Does the U.S. Have?
The U.S. has a Federal System of government composed of:
- A central (or federal) government seated in Washington D.C.
- The state governments of the 50 states.
How Is Governing Power Distributed?
The governing power is stipulated by the Constitution:
- The Federal government must not interfere with the state governments.
- All states must abide by the fundamental rights and privileges of all citizens.
What Are the Fundamental Rights and Privileges?
Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom of association, freedom of petition, freedom of property, and the principles of equality.
Which Activities Are Determined by State and Local Government?
Most individual activities are determined by the state and local governments. For example:
- Driver’s license
- Marriage license
- Establishment of companies or corporations
- Medical practice
- Law practice
What Does Each State Have?
Each state has its own legislative, administrative, electoral, and judicial systems. Therefore, each state has its own rules, regulations, and laws (e.g., banking, divorce, security). All states are considered equal; the only difference is in the number of representatives in the House.
How Are the States Subdivided?
Each state is divided into counties, municipalities or townships, school districts, and special districts. Not all states have the same subdivisions since they are autonomous in deciding how to organize their political-administrative system.
What Powers Are Reserved to the Federal Government?
Certain aspects of taxes, rules for citizenship, bankruptcy, establishment of standards (weights & measurements), post office, exterior commerce, international relations, military service & operations (Declaration of war), and minting of money.
The Three Branches of Government (Federal State)
- The Legislative: Makes the laws.
- The Executive: Administers & enforces the laws.
- The Judicial: Solves conflicts between citizens, between citizens & government, and within the government.
1. The Legislative Branch (Federal)
Congress: The House of Senate with 2 senators per state (6-year term) and The House of Representatives (representation based on state population, 2-year term).
State Legislatures (or General Assemblies)
State legislators are similar to the national congress. The number of representatives from each district depends on the state and the population.
2. The Executive Branch (Federal)
The President, Vice-President, and Cabinet: President and Vice-President are voted for at the same time (4-year term, may be re-elected once). The President appoints the Cabinet: Secretary of Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Justice, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veteran Affairs.
State Executives
Each state makes up its executive branch. The head of the state executive is the governor, who is elected by popular vote (4 or 2-year term).
3. The Judicial System (Federal)
Three court levels determined by Congress:
- The District Courts: Inferior level, at least 1 in each state and in D.C. = 94 total. 1 judge presides each.
- The Circuit Courts of Appeals: 12 courts in U.S. Review the appeals from the district courts. 3 or more judges preside each.
- The Supreme Court: Reviews appeals from lower courts and interpretation of the Constitution. 9 magistrates preside for an indefinite time. Decisions are final, definite, and unappealable. They set precedence.
State Judicial Systems
Depends on each state, but the majority have 4 levels:
- Specialized Courts and County Courts (deal with misdemeanors)
- General Trial Courts (deal with felonies) (1 judge and sometimes a jury)
- Intermediate Court of Appeals (3 or more judges)
- Supreme Court