American Elections 2024: The American political system: a complex structure with key and hidden weaknesses.
There are almost two more weeks left until the 2024 US presidential election, which will be held on November 5th. An important event that makes it necessary to examine the political system.
The political structure and decision-making in the United States of America is based on a federal republic and representative democracy in which power is divided between different levels of government. This system was established by the United States Constitution in 1787. The American political structure is designed in such a way that the power is divided between different levels of the government and institutions and helps to balance the powers.
This structure consists of three main branches, which are the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch. Also, the federalism system and the role of state governments are also essential features of this structure.
It should be noted that the US Constitution is the basic document for the political structure of this country. This law was passed in 1787 and, along with subsequent amendments that include the Bill of Rights and other important amendments, provides a legal basis for all government actions. The Constitution generally divides power between the federal government and the state governments.
1. Executive branch: presidency and cabinet
The executive branch in America consists of the president, his vice president and the cabinet. As the highest executive officer, the president is responsible for the implementation of federal laws, the leadership of domestic and foreign policies, and the general command of the armed forces. The election of the president is done through a special system called the “Electoral College”. The president is elected every four years and can only serve two consecutive terms.
The cabinet consists of ministers appointed by the president to lead the various federal ministries. These ministers are responsible for implementing the president’s policies in various fields such as foreign affairs, defense, treasury, and education.
-Execution of federal laws: the president is responsible for the implementation of laws approved by Congress through various executive bodies.
– Veto laws: The president can veto bills passed by Congress. If the president vetoes them, Congress can override that veto with a two-thirds vote.
– International relations: the president acts as the country’s representative in the international arena and can negotiate and sign international treaties, of course, these international treaties must be approved by the Senate.
2. Legislature: Congress including the Senate and the House of Representatives
The US Congress has two chambers, namely the House of Representatives and the Senate. Each of these two parliaments has specific duties and plays an important role in approving laws, budgeting, and monitoring the performance of the executive branch.
The House of Representatives consists of 435 members who are elected every two years from different constituencies. The number of representatives of each state is determined based on the population of that state. The main duties of the House of Representatives include approving laws and starting the budget process. Also, this parliament has the power to impeach the president and other high-ranking officials.
b. Senate
The Senate is composed of 100 senators, regardless of the population of the states, each state has two senators. Senators are elected for 6 years, and every two years, one-third of the seats in the Senate are up for election. The Senate is responsible for approving the appointments of the president and ratifying international treaties. Also, if the president is impeached by the House of Representatives, the Senate is responsible for conducting the trial.
3. Judiciary: Supreme Court and Federal Courts
The judiciary in the United States must interpret laws and ensure their compliance with the Constitution. The highest judicial authority in this country is the Supreme Court, which has nine judges. These judges are appointed by the president and approved by the Senate. The Supreme Court is responsible for the final review of legal disputes and the interpretation of the Constitution.