AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

1.1  Political Parties

The constitution says nothing about political parties, but overtime the U.S. has in fact developed two-party system. The two leading parties are Democrats and the Republicans. There are other parties besides these two, and foreign observers are often surprised to learn that among these are also a Communist party and several Socialist party. Minor parties have occasionally won offices at lower levels of government, but they do not play a role in national politics. One does not need to be a member of a political party to run in any election at any level of government.

 

1.2  Election

American citizens who are at least 18 years of age have right to vote. They must however register as voter In order to be able to exercise this right. Each state has the right to determine registration procedures. Voter registration and voting among minorities has dramatically increased during the last 20 years, especially as a result of the civil rights movement. There are 50 different registrations laws in the US-one set for each state. In the south, voters often register not only locally but also at the country seat.

1.3 Federalism: State and Local Government

The individual states all have republicans form of government with a senate and a house. (There is one exception, Nebraska, which has only one legislative body of 49 “senators”) all have executive branches headed by state governors and independent court systems. Each state also has its own constitution. But all must respect the federal laws and not make laws that interfere with those of the other states.

1.4 Special Interest Groups

     American, always concerned their politicians represent their interests, often from “pressure” groups political lobbies, public action committees, or special interest groups. Such groups seek to influence politician on almost any imaginable subject. One group might campaign for a nationwide, federal gun-control law, while another group opposes it.

1.5 Political Attitudes

     It’s often been said and does seem to be true: Americans seem almost instinctively to dislike government and politician many would no doubt agree with the statement that the best government is the one that governs least.

            American are seldom impressed by government officials (they do like royalty, as long as it is not theirs). They distrust people who call themselves experts. They do not like being ordered to do anything. Many visitors to the US are still surprised by the strong egalitarian tendencies they meet in daily lives. American from different walks of life, people with different educational and social background, will often start talking a with one another “just as if they were equal”.