1、英語(yǔ)國(guó)家概況英語(yǔ)國(guó)家概況The United States of AmericaGovernmentCONTENTSUS Constitution1Federal System & Government 2Political Parties3Election4Foreign Policy5The Treaty of Paris (1783): recognized the independence of the US and the former 13 British colonies.Articles of Confederation聯(lián)邦條款聯(lián)邦條款vWhen the War of Inde

2、pendence was over, each new state had its own government and was organized like an independenet nation.vHowever, these states would raise money to pay off debts of the war, establish a money system and deal with foreign nations in making treaties. The agreement that set this plan of cooperation was

3、called the Articles of ConfederationvThe Articles of Confederation failed because the states did not cooperate.vThe Congress at the time had been given no authority to force any state to do anything.The American Constituent AssemblyThis draft constitution in Philadelphia at the constitutional conven

4、tion on the approval of the representatives, and shortly thereafter be at that time the United States has 13 state special approval of the meeting.（該憲法草案在費(fèi)城召開(kāi)的美國(guó)制憲會(huì)議上獲得代表的批準(zhǔn)，并在此后不久被當(dāng)時(shí)（該憲法草案在費(fèi)城召開(kāi)的美國(guó)制憲會(huì)議上獲得代表的批準(zhǔn)，并在此后不久被當(dāng)時(shí)美國(guó)擁有的美國(guó)擁有的13個(gè)州的特別會(huì)議所批準(zhǔn)。個(gè)州的特別會(huì)議所批準(zhǔn)。1) Time: May 25, 1787- Sept. 17, 1787(116 days)

5、2) Place: in Independence Hall in Philadelphia3) People: George Washington presided over the convention James Madison was called the Father of the Constitution James Madison (the 4th America President )was called the father of America constitution.Father of the Constitution1. American Constitution 1

6、、The Constitution of the United States is the basic means of America. 3、The constitution of the United States is the worlds first written constitution.2、It lay a legal foundation of the American political system.A written constitution is a formal document defining the nature of the constitutional se

7、ttlement, the rules that govern the political system and the rights of citizens and governments in a codified(編成法典) form.The Preamble of the United States Constitution is composed of 52 words. We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domest

8、ic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. 我們合眾國(guó)人民，為建立更完善的聯(lián)盟，樹(shù)立正義，保障國(guó)內(nèi)安寧，提供共同防務(wù)，我們合眾國(guó)人民，為建立更完善的聯(lián)盟，樹(shù)立正義，保障國(guó)內(nèi)安寧，提供共同防務(wù)，促進(jìn)公共福

9、利，并使我們自己和后代得享自由的幸福，特為美利堅(jiān)合眾國(guó)制定本憲促進(jìn)公共福利，并使我們自己和后代得享自由的幸福，特為美利堅(jiān)合眾國(guó)制定本憲法。法。 However, no words to guarantee the freedoms and privileges of citizens“Bill of Rights” was added to the constitution in 1791.Ten Amendments.Bill of Rights2. Federal System & GovernmentThe Federal GovernmentThe Legislative Branch

10、The Executive BranchThe Judicial Branch 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4vOne fear：the new central government might weaken or take away the power of state governments. The Constitution specified exactly what power the central government had and which power was reserved for the states.Two fears in writing the constitu

11、tion A federal system of government is one that divides the powers of government between the national (federal) government and state and local governments. The Constitution of the United States established the federal system, also known as federalism. Under federalism, each level of government has s

12、overeignty in some areas and shares powers in other areas. 2.1 The Federal Government Share: make and enforce laws; levy tax; borrow money vNational government vCoin moneyvDeclare warvConduct foreign relationsvOversee foreign and interstate tradevState governmentvRatify amendmentsvManage public heal

13、th and safetyvOversee trade within the statevEducation vThe constitution does not clearly list the powers of the states. vInstead, it says that all powers not specifically granted to the national government are reserved to the states.vOne person or group might become too powerful. A government consi

14、sting of three parts, or branches, the executive, the legislative and the judicial was set up.Another fearChecks and Balances (制約與平衡制約與平衡)Separation of powersvthe division of the law-making(立法), law-enforcing(執(zhí)法) and law-interpreting(司法) power.vLegislative branchvExecutive branchvJudicial branch The

15、 legislative branch is made up of elected representatives from all of the states and is the only branch that can make federal laws, levy federal taxes, declare war or put foreign treaties into effect. It consists of a Congress that is divided into two houses: The SenateHouse of RepresentativesChief

16、Official: President of the Senate (Vice President of the USA.)Chief Official: The Speaker of the House2.2 The Legislative Branch The Senate comprises lawmakers who serve six-year terms. Each state, regardless of population, has two senators. That assures that the small states have an equal voice in

17、one of the houses of Congress. The terms of the senators are staggered, so that only one-third of the Senate is elected every two yeas. That assures that there are some experienced senators in Congress after each election.The Senate The House of Representatives comprises lawmakers who serve two-year

18、 terms. Each House member represents a district in his or her home state. The number of districts in a state is determined by a count of the population taken every 10 years. The most heavily populated states (California) have more districts and, therefore, more representatives than the smaller state

19、s, some of which have only one. There are 435 representatives in the House of Representatives.Speaker of the House calling the House to order at the beginning of a session of Congress. The House of Representatives The main reading room inside the Library of Congress Bill the Senate the House of Repr

20、esentatives the PresidentLaw-making Process2.3 Executive Branch The president: the chief executive; elected to a four-year term for only two terms.The vice president: to serve as the presiding officer of the Senate; the vice president may vote in the Senate only in the event of a tie.13 departmentsv

21、State vTreasuryvDefensevJusticevInteriorvAgriculturevCommercev國(guó)務(wù)院國(guó)務(wù)院v財(cái)政部財(cái)政部v國(guó)防部國(guó)防部v司法部司法部v內(nèi)政部?jī)?nèi)政部v農(nóng)業(yè)部農(nóng)業(yè)部v商務(wù)部商務(wù)部vLaborvHealth and Human ServicesvHousing and Urban DevelopmentvTransportationvEnergyvEducation v勞工部勞工部v衛(wèi)生與公共事業(yè)部衛(wèi)生與公共事業(yè)部v住房與城市發(fā)展部住房與城市發(fā)展部v交通部交通部v能源部能源部v教育部教育部White House the official home and

22、 principal workplace of the presidents of the United StatesThe PresidentvQualifications:vbe a natural-born citizen of the United Statesvbe at least thirty-five years oldvHave been a permanent resident in the United States for at least 14 yearsGeorge Washington, the first American President after the

23、 Revolutionary War George W. Bush, American President now. Barack Obama, to be the first African-American president in January, 2009The power of the presidentvAdministration:vManage state affairs and the federal governments all kinds of workvRelease the decree and appoint officialsvCommander in chie

24、f of the armed forces and raise the national guardvLawmaking: veto any bill of Congress unless two-thirds people overturn his vetovJudicature: appoint the supreme judicial officials, but shall obtain approval in the Senate.vForeign affairs: manage diplomats, sign the treaty with other countries2.4 J

25、udicial BranchSupreme Court, created by the Constitution The Chief JusticeEight associate justices Federal CourtsSupreme Court (9 members)The Courts most important function consists of determining whether or not the laws and acts of the other two branches are in accordance with the Constitution.the

26、power is called judicial reviewJudicial Branch (司法機(jī)構(gòu))the Supreme Court11 federal courts of appeal91 federal district courtsFederal judges are appointed for life or voluntary retirement, and can only be removed from office through the process of impeachment(彈劾彈劾) and trial in the Congress.“正是這個(gè)設(shè)計(jì)使這個(gè)稚

27、嫩的國(guó)家在草莽中崛起，迅速成為也許你不喜歡但卻不能輕視的超級(jí)大國(guó)。這樣一個(gè)精巧的設(shè)計(jì)，在二百多年前由一群蠻荒大陸上的鄉(xiāng)巴佬創(chuàng)造出來(lái)，實(shí)在是令人驚嘆不已。” 易中天v美國(guó)成功的秘密不在于華爾街和硅谷，不在于空軍和海美國(guó)成功的秘密不在于華爾街和硅谷，不在于空軍和海軍，不在于言論自由和自由市場(chǎng)軍，不在于言論自由和自由市場(chǎng)v美國(guó)的成功在于長(zhǎng)盛不衰的美國(guó)的成功在于長(zhǎng)盛不衰的法治法治及其背后的及其背后的制度制度。美國(guó)美國(guó)強(qiáng)大的真正力量在于，我們所繼承的強(qiáng)大的真正力量在于，我們所繼承的良好的法律與制度良好的法律與制度體系。體系。”“有人說(shuō)，這是一種由天才們?cè)O(shè)計(jì)，并可由蠢有人說(shuō)，這是一種由天才們?cè)O(shè)計(jì)，并可由蠢

28、才們運(yùn)作的體系。才們運(yùn)作的體系。” ” 湯姆斯湯姆斯弗里德曼弗里德曼3. Political Parties vThe Democratic Party the donkey vThe Republican Party the elephant Two Major Political Partiesthe donkey and the elephantRepublican Partyv1854；vGrand Old Party (GOP) 大老黨大老黨vCenter-right vThe partys platform generally reflects American conservat

29、ism.Democratic Partyv1824 ；vCenter-left vThe partys platform is more liberal and progressive in the U.S. political spectrum.vThe party has the lengthiest record of continuous operation in the United States. DifferencesEconomic policiesSocial policiesVoter baseEconomic policiesvEmphasize the role of

30、free markets and individual achievement as the primary factors behind economic prosperity vOppose to increase in the minimum wagevOppose a government-run single-payer health-care system and in favor of a personal or employer-based system of insurancevSupport giving government grants to faith-based a

31、nd other private charitable organizations to supplant welfare spendingEconomic policiesvFavor a higher minimum wage, and more regular increasesvOppose tax cuts and incentives to oil companies, favor a policy of developing domestic renewable energyvSupport more government spending on social services

32、while spending less on the militaryvCall for affordable and quality health care, and many advocate an expansion of government intervention in this area. Social policiesvOppose government recognition of same-sex unions such as with same-sex marriage. vPro-life（反墮胎）（反墮胎） and oppose elective abortion（流

33、產(chǎn)）流產(chǎn)）vSupport school choice through charter schools and school vouchers for private schools Social policiesvSupport for same-sex marriage and LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) vBelieve that all women should have access to birth control and call for abortion to be safe, legal and rare vSuppo

34、rt equal opportunity for all Americans regardless of sex, age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed , or national originVoter baseVSGenderAgeFamily statusIncomeMenWomenOlder AmericansYounger votersWhites from married couples with children living at homeSingle, separated but not

35、 divorced, or divorced High-income votersLow-income voters* Americans do not have to join a political party in order to vote or to be a candidate for public office. However, running for office without the money and campaign workers a party can provide is difficult.4. ElectionBe 35 years Be 35 years

36、old.old.Be born in the USABe born in the USACan you be Mr. or Miss President?live in the U.S.A for 14 live in the U.S.A for 14 yearsyearsThe ProcedureJuneJanuaryPrimary electionJuly AugustNational Representatives Conference NovemberElectionInaugural addressJanuaryv1. Primary election: for the nomina

37、tion of candidates at national party conventionsv2. National Representatives Conference: partys official candidate for the presidency is selected by casting votes v3. Running: nation-wide presidential campaigns by the candidates. v4. Election: General electionthe voters across the nation go to the p

38、olls. Electoral Collegewinner-take-all feature, majority of electors. (選舉團(tuán)投票）選舉團(tuán)投票）538 electors100Senators 435Congressmen3 electors The District of Columbia哥倫比亞特區(qū)哥倫比亞特區(qū) 535Representatives in CongressFeatures of ElectionvWinner-take-all policy(勝者全得，贏家通勝者全得，贏家通吃吃)vThe party that wins most votes in a s

39、tate wins all the electoral votes for the statev5. Inaugural address: the inauguration ceremony (總統(tǒng)宣誓就職儀式總統(tǒng)宣誓就職儀式)held in front of the U.S. Capital.National Representatives Conference After National Representatives Conference, someone is elected as partys official candidate They began tointroducethe

40、ir own partys political claims their own political programmes votersgive promises Serve the peoplevotersget more support Formal presidental election Formal presidental election start on the first Monday of september make campaign speeches across the country interview voters debate in public with the

41、ir rivals Nowadays, competition of president is gradually turning into competition of money.Five ways to get election fund 5 contribution from consortium, enterprise and other interest groups1 special funds from federal government2 their own partys financial aid 3 their family and their own money4 p

42、opulaces individual contributionNeutrality(中立立場(chǎng)中立立場(chǎng))Containment and Intervention（遏制、干預(yù)政策）（遏制、干預(yù)政策）Neutralityv “Declaration of Neutrality”(on Agu. 19th, 1914)； v America entered the warGerman government resumed unrestricted submarine warfare in 1917；v Wilson submitted Fourteen Points in 1918;abandonm

43、ent of secret international agreements; freedom of the seas; free trade between nations;reductions in national armaments (軍備、武器軍備、武器);adjustment of colonial claims in the interests of the inhabitants affected; self-rule for subjugated (使屈服、征服使屈服、征服) European nationalities; the establishment of an as

44、sociation of nations to afford “mutual guarantees to great and small states alike”.v With the outbreak of World War II, isolationist sentiment increased；v Neutrality legislationprevent the involvement of the war； prohibited trade in arms with any warring nations; required cash for all other commodit

45、ies; forbade American merchant ships from carrying those goods. Neutralityv Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941;v America declared war with the Axis powersGermany, Italy and Japan. The nation rapidly readied itself for mobilization of its people and its entire industrial capacity； Wa

46、rtime objectivestotal destruction of the Axis powers and the establishment of a world order. NeutralityContainment and Intervention v The US dominated global affairs after World War II;v “American Century”: confident of its mission at home and abroad; to maintain the democratic structure and to shar

47、e the benefits of prosperity. v Containmentpostwar policy affirmed by President Truman： Communism was a threat to the United States; His statements inspired a wave of hysterical anti-Communism throughout the country. Cold WarvCold Warwaged by Eisenhower placed new emphasis on nuclear strength to pre

48、vent the outbreak of war; authorized the CIA to undertake secret actions to overthrow unfriendly governments or protect reliable anti-Communist leaders whose power was threatened; the CIA helped overthrow the governments of Iran in 1953 and Guatemala (危地馬拉) in 1954; Eisenhower helped to create a non

49、-Communist government in South Vietnam.Historic Stepv Nixon administrations historic stepcloser ties with Communist countries： New relationship with Chinathe most dramatic move; Nixon first US President to visit Beijing; The “Shanghai Communiqu”: There is one China，Taiwan is part of China; A peacefu

50、l settlement of the dispute by the Chinese themselves is American interest.US Dominationv Berlin Wall fell in 1989, former Soviet Union broke up in 1991; v The US remained the most powerful country;v Europe, Russia and probably China can attain comparable status in the future international affairs.

51、.Read the following statement and decide whether they are true(T) or false (F).1.The Bill of Right was written into the Constitution in 1787.2.The form of the American government is based on three main principles: federalism, the separation of powers and respect for the Constitution and rule of law.

52、3.The US Congress consists of two houses: the House of Commons and the House of Lords.4.The judicial branch of the US federal government consists of a series of courts: the supreme court, the courts of appeals and the district courts.5.The Democratic Party is conservative in terms of its ideology.6.

53、The American presidential campaigns adhere to the “winner-takes-all” practice.7.The American foreign policy throughout World War 2 was neutrality.8.The American foreign policy during the Cold War period was containment and intervention.Choose the best answer to complete each of the following statements.1.The US.Constit