U.S.A AND ITS GOVERNMENT

The United States of America is located on the continent of North America. There are 50 states in the U.S. Forty-eight of the states form the United States. The U.S. borders on Canada to the north, and Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. On the east coast, the U.S. is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, and on the west coast it is bordered by the Pacific Ocean.

To the northwest of Canada is the state of Alaska. The state of Hawaii is located in the Pacific Ocean, southwest of California.

In addition to the 50 states, the U.S. has several territories and possessions, located in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

The first type of government in America was based primarily on state government. Prior to the signing of the Constitution, America had been made up of thirteen colonies, which had been ruled by England. Following the Revolutionary War, these colonies, although they had formed a league of friendship under the Articles of Confederation, basically governed themselves. They feared a strong central government like the one they lived with under England's rule. However, it was soon discovered that this weak form of state government could not survive and so the Constitution was drafted.

The Constitution :

- defines and limits the power of the national government,

- defines the relationship between the national government and individual state governments, and

- guarantees the rights of the citizens of the United States.

This time, it was decided that a government system based on federalism would be established. In other words, power is shared between the national and state (local) governments. The opposite of this system of government is a centralized government, such as in France and Great Britain, where the national government maintains all power.

Sharing power between the national government and state governments allows Americans to enjoy the benefits of diversity and unity. For example, the national government may set a uniform currency system. Could you imagine having 50 different types of coins, each with a different value? You would need to take along a calculator to go shopping in another state. By setting up a national policy, the system is fair to everyone and the states do not have to bear the heavy burden of regulating their currency.

On the other hand, issues such as the death penalty have been left up to the individual states. The decision whether or not to have a death penalty depends on that state's history, needs, and philosophies.

After the American colonies won their independence from England, the thirteen colonies became thirteen states. The new states formed a league so they could work together. Their system of government was described in a document called the Articles of Confederation. In this system, the state governments had most of the power. The national government was very weak. This was very different from the government under the King.

The Founding Fathers saw that this system left the nation too weak. They decided to develop a new system of government. They wrote a new document, the Constitution, to replace the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution made a stronger national government. It divided power between the national government and the state governments. This system is called federalism. Since the signing of the Constitution, the division of power in the United States has been based on sharing power between the national government and individual state governments. This is known as federalism.

Let's take a look at how power is distributed in the United States:

In addition, the national government and state governments share the following powers:

- Make and enforce laws.

- Tax.

- Borrow money.

In order to carry out these duties, the national government and individual state governments are divided into areas. Each area is given a duty to perform.

State Government

Each state has its own constitution based on its unique history, needs, philosophy, and geography. A state's constitution is similar to that of the national Constitution; however, the laws made in individual states cannot conflict with the national Constitution or national laws. The national Constitution is "the supreme law of the land."

Just like that of the national government, each state's constitution separates power between three branches -- legislative, judicial, and executive. In addition, in most states, the legislative branch contains two houses. Instead of a president, each state elects a governor.

National government and state government are two types of government, but there are also local governments. Most Americans live under the national government, a state government, and several local governments. Local government is divided into five categories: county, town and township, municipality, special district, school district.

Date: 2016-04-22; view: 1004