Political System of the USA The United States of America is a federal republic consisting of 50 states.

Each state has its own government (state government !. "n some wa#s the United States is li$e 50 small countries. The government of the USA act according to the %onstitution which was signed b# the first thirteen representatives of thirteen original American states in &'('. The document was written in &'(' and since that time twent# si) Amendments have been added. The first ten Amendments were simpl# rights or the *ill of rights. According to the %onstitution the USA is a republic. So+ the officials of an# ran$ are elected b# US citi,ens. Ever# citi,en has rights which can not be violated. The %onstitution proclaims a federal s#stem of government which $eeps both the states and the federal power from getting too much power. "t means that the federal government is given certain powers+ for e)ample+ to ma$e peace or war+ to issue mone# and to regulate the trade and so on. The federal power is located in -ashington+ ..%. "t is based on legislative+ e)ecutive and /uridical branches of power. The legislative power is vested in %ongress+ which consists of two houses0 the Senate and the 1ouse of 2epresentatives+ There are 345 members in the 1ouse of 2epresentatives and &00 senators in %ongress. Each state elects two members for the Senate. The e)ecutive branch is headed b# the 5resident who is assisted b# the 6ice 5resident. The 5resident enforces federal laws+ serves as commander7in7chief of the Armed 8orces. The 5resident can veto a bill unless %ongress b# a two7thirds vote shall overrule him. The 6ice 5resident+ elected from the same political part# as the 5resident+ acts as chairman of the Senate+ and in the event of the death of the 5resident+ assumes the 5residenc#. The 5resident of the USA is chosen in nationwide elections ever# 3 #ears together with the 6ice.75resident. The 5resident can not be elected for more than two terms. The %abinet is made up of .epartment Secretaries. The most important of them is the Secretar# of State+ who deals with foreign affairs. The /udicial branch is made up of 8ederal .istrict %ourts+ && 8ederal %ourts and the Supreme %ourt. 8ederal /udges are appointed b# the 5resident for life. 8ederal courts decide cases involving federal law+ conflicts between citi,ens of different states. %onstitution has been amended twent# si) times. The *ill of 2ights guarantees individual liberties0 freedom of word+9 religion and so on. :ater amendments abolished slaver#+ granted the vote to women and colour people and allowed citi,ens to vote at the age of &(.