SOL 7 The student will apply social science skills to understand the organization and powers of the national government by
a) examining the legislative, executive, and judicial branches;
The legislative branch of the national government is a bicameral body with committees playing a major role in the legislative process.
The Constitution of the United States grants both expressed and implied powers to the legislative branch.
The executive branch consists of the president, vice president, and the federal bureaucracy.
The organization and powers of the judicial branch are derived from the Constitution of the United States and federal law.
The two houses of Congress
Congressional committees
Expressed powers of Congress
Levy taxes
Implied powers of Congress allow it to do all things “necessary and proper” to carry out its expressed powers.
The executive branch is headed by the president and vice president, who are supported by the Executive Office, the Cabinet, and the federal bureaucracy.
Responsibilities of the president
United States court system
a) examining the legislative, executive, and judicial branches;
The legislative branch of the national government is a bicameral body with committees playing a major role in the legislative process.
The Constitution of the United States grants both expressed and implied powers to the legislative branch.
The executive branch consists of the president, vice president, and the federal bureaucracy.
The organization and powers of the judicial branch are derived from the Constitution of the United States and federal law.
The two houses of Congress
- The Senate: 100 members, with each state having two senators
- The House of Representatives: 435 members, with each state’s representation based on its population
Congressional committees
- Committees are organized by subject matter.
- Because of the large volume of work, committees are essential to the legislative process.
Expressed powers of Congress
Levy taxes
- Borrow money
- Regulate commerce
- Coin money
- Declare war
- Establish Post Offices
Implied powers of Congress allow it to do all things “necessary and proper” to carry out its expressed powers.
The executive branch is headed by the president and vice president, who are supported by the Executive Office, the Cabinet, and the federal bureaucracy.
Responsibilities of the president
- Overseeing the various parts of the executive branch
- Enforcing laws
- Issuing executive orders
- Appointing and removing officials
- Making treaties and executive agreements
- Commanding the military
United States court system
- Supreme Court
- Nine justices, no jury
- Hears appeals from lower federal courts and the highest state courts
- Has limited original jurisdiction
- United States Court of Appeals
- Judges, no jury
- Hears appeals from United States district courts and certain other federal courts and commissions
- United States District Court
- Judge, with or without jury
- Tries cases involving federal crimes and federal civil proceedings
- Does not hear appeals
b) analyzing the relationships among the 3 branches in a system of checks & balances & separation of powers;
A constitutional system of checks and balances and separation of powers gives each of the three branches of government ways to limit the powers of the other branches.
Checks of the legislative branch
Checks of the executive branch
Checks of the judicial branch
Separation of Powers
A constitutional system of checks and balances and separation of powers gives each of the three branches of government ways to limit the powers of the other branches.
Checks of the legislative branch
- Over the executive branch:
- To override presidential vetoes
- To impeach and convict a president
- To approve treaties
- To approve presidential appointments
- Over the judicial branch:
- To approve federal judges/justices
- To impeach and convict judges/justices
Checks of the executive branch
- Over the legislative branch:
- To veto acts of Congress
- To call special sessions of Congress
- Over the judicial branch:
- To appoint federal judges/justices
Checks of the judicial branch
- Over the legislative branch:
- To declare laws to be unconstitutional
- Over the executive branch:
- To declare executive actions to be unconstitutional
Separation of Powers
- Government power is distributed among the three branches of government.
- Each branch is independent of one another.
- Although there is a separation of power, each branch participates in the functions of the other two through a system of checks and balances.
c) investigating and explaining the ways individuals and groups exert influence on the national government.
Individuals and groups exert influence on the national government.
Ways individuals influence public policy
Ways interest groups/lobbyists influence public policy
Identifying issues
Individuals and groups exert influence on the national government.
Ways individuals influence public policy
- Participating in politics (e.g., voting, campaigning, seeking office)
- Expressing opinions (e.g., lobbying, demonstrating, writing letters, blogging, speaking at public meetings, petitioning, meeting with public officials)
- Joining interest groups or political parties
- Donating money to support a particular cause
Ways interest groups/lobbyists influence public policy
Identifying issues
- Stimulating interest in public affairs
- Working to build a positive image for the group
- Organizing individuals of like-minded interests
- Providing useful information to government officials
- Lobbying to persuade policymakers to share an interest group’s point of view
- Making political contributions
- Monitoring the policymaking and regulatory processes
- Organizing communities of like interests