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ТЕМА 4. Государственное устройство стран изучаемого языка: США
Unit 4
US State System
The United States of America is a federal union which is divided into 50 states and one independent district – the District of Columbia. Forty nine states, including Alaska, form the continental United States. The 50th state is separated from the continental part. It is the state of Hawaii – a group of islands situated in the mid Pacific Ocean. The USA is a presidential republic. By the US Constitution the government of the nation is entrusted to three separate authorities: legislative, executive and judicial. The executive power is vested in the President, who is also the head of state. He holds his office during the term of four years, and is elected together with the Vice-President. According to the Constitution of the USA the President can be re-elected for the second term. The primary responsibility of the Vice President of the United States is at any moment to assume the Presidency if the President is unable to perform his or her duties. Among the duties and powers of the President listed by the Constitution are the following: the President is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, he makes treaties and appoints ambassadors to foreign states as well as other high officials of the United States. Within his competence is also the responsibility for taking care that the laws be faithfully executed. Established by Article I of the Constitution, the Legislative Branch consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which together form the United States Congress. The House of Representatives is made up of 435 elected members, divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population. Members of the House are elected every two years and must be 25 years of age, U.S. citizens for at least seven years, and residents of the state they represent. The presiding officer of the chamber is the Speaker of the House, elected by the Representatives. He or she is the third in the line of succession to the Presidency. The Senate is composed of 100 Senators, 2 from each state. Senators must be 30 years of age, U.S. citizens for at least nine years, and residents of the state they represent. Senators are elected for six years and only one third retires in rotation every two years. Two senators from the same state never finish their terms at the same time. The presiding officer of the Senate is the Vice-President of the United States. The Vice-President is not a member of the chamber over which he presides and he sometimes is not a member of the party in power. The function of the executive branch of power is to carry out the laws of the nation. It is also responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws written by Congress. The executive branch consists of the President, the Vice-President and the Cabinet of the United States, 15 executive departments and numerous federal agencies, boards, commissions and committees. Most of the Cabinet members are appointed by the President but their nomination must be confirmed by the Senate. Most of the members of the Presidential Cabinet are called Secretaries except the head of the Justice Department, who is called the Attorney General. As the chief executive officer, the President can at his discretion remove any Secretary. The judicial branch is headed by the Supreme Court. It consists of the Chief Justice and 8 Associate Justices who are appointed for life. The Supreme Court decides whether a law of the U.S. Congress or an executive order of the President is constitutional or not. The states’ government follows the same pattern as the federal government. Each state has an executive branch headed by a Governor, a legislative branch and a judicial branch. There are two main political parties in the USA: the Democratic Party (symbolized by a “donkey”) and the Republican Party (symbolized by an “elephant”). A Exercise 1.Find the English equivalents for the following words and word combinations: Независимый округ, в соответствии с Конституцией США, главная обязанность, принимать на себя обязанности по должности президента, главнокомандующий вооруженными силами, назначать послов в иностранные государства, заботиться о надлежащем исполнении законов, пропорционально общему населению, председатель палаты, увольняться поочередно каждые два года, член правящей партии, исполнять законы страны, приведение в действие и применение законов, по своему усмотрению снимать с должности секретаря, назначаться пожизненно, система управления штатами. Exercise 2. Match English and Russian equivalents:
Exercise 3. Fill in the gaps:
Exercise 4. Tell what state body or government official: 1) sees that laws be faithfully executed; 2) is elected by the members of the House of Representatives; 3) is composed of 100 members; 4) is elected together with the President; 5) is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces; 6) carries out the laws of the nation; 7) consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate; 8) decides whether a law of the U.S. Congress or an executive order of the President is constitutional or not; 9) is the presiding officer of the Senate; 10) is composed of the Chief Justice and 8 Associate Justices. Exercise 5. Complete the sentences:1) The United States of America is a federal union which is divided into … . 2) By the U.S. Constitution the government of the nation is entrusted to … . 3) The head of state in the USA is … . 4) The President is elected together with … . 5) Among the duties and powers of the President are the following: … . 6) The highest legislative body in the USA is … . 7) The executive power is vested in … . 8) Most of the members of the Presidential Cabinet are called … . 9) The judicial branch is headed by ... . 10) The main political parties in the USA are … Exercise 6. Agree or disagree: 1) The USA is a unitary state, which consists of 50 states and the District of Columbia. 2) The executive power in the USA is vested in the President, who is also the head of state. 3) The term of office of the President is five years. 4) One of the main responsibilities of the President is to take care that the laws be faithfully executed. 5) Members of the House of Representatives must be 30 years of age, U.S. citizens for at least seven years, and residents of the state they represent. 6) The Senate is composed of 100 members. 7) The function of the executive branch of power is to amend the laws of the nation. 8) Most of the Cabinet members are appointed by the President but their nomination must be confirmed by the Senate. 9) The states’ government follows the same pattern as the federal government. Exercise 7. Answer the questions: 1) What is the form of state structure in the USA? 2) What is the form of government in the USA? 3) What are the duties and powers of the head of state? 4) What branches of power are there in the USA? 5) What is the structure of the highest legislative body? 6) What parts does the executive branch of power consist of? 7) Most of the members of the Presidential Cabinet are called Secretaries,are they? 8) How many members does the U. S. Supreme Court consist of? 9) What is the structure of the states’ government? 10) What are the main political parties in the USA?
B
Exercise 1. Use the verbs in brackets in the Future Indefinite Tense (Active or Passive Voice). Translate the sentences into Russian: 1) The judge (to declare) Mr. Stevens innocent. 2) We (to study) criminal law next year. 3) In these countries the lawyers (to regulate) by an independent judiciary or they (to subject) to supervision by the Ministry of Justice in the executive branch. 4) This judge (to work) at this court next month. 5) We (to study) Criminalistics next year. 6) We (to discuss) this matter tomorrow. 7) The witnesses for the defence and prosecution (to cross-examine) tomorrow. Exercise 2. Use passive sentences in the Past and in the Future as shown in the example: Example: The problem is solved. –The problem was solved. –The problem will be solved.
1. The matter is discussed. 2. The disputes are settled. 3. An agreement is reached. 4. Legal principles are applied. 5. Legal advice is sought. 6. Laws are enforced.
Exercise 3. Open the brackets using Indefinite Tenses: Britain (to have) the oldest Parliament in the world. This institution has changed over the centuries and has reflected the class structure and economic basis of feudal and capitalists societies. Parliament (to reside) in the Palace of Westminster. This tradition (to date back) to Saxon times when the king (to call) to this place a group of powerful barons who (to discuss) with him matters of state. In 1215 King Henry III (to refuse) to accept Magna Carta. A group of powerful barons (to support) him. But Symon de Monfort (to defeat) them and in 1265 (to call) the first Parliament. From that time the king (to summon) Parliament and representatives of counties and cities together with the King’s advisers from the clergy and his supporters among the feudal barons (to meet) together. As the class differences between the representatives and aristocracy (to become) more marked, the division into the “Lords” and the “Commons” (to take) place. In the middle of the last century the House of Commons (to be) a centre of real political power. Since those days the growth of the power of the Cabinet, based on the development of the modern party system has brought about a fundamental change. The House of Commons (to be) still the centre of the political stage; but it (not to be) the centre of the real political power. The House of Commons (not to control) the Cabinet, the civil service or the armed forces. It (to be) in fact a forum for criticism of the Government and for getting the information.
C
Exercise 1. 1) Read and translate the text and answer the questions: What is the structure of the U. S. Constitution? What is the role of the U. S. Constitution?
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States. The United States Constitution is the oldest written constitution (when defined as a single document) still in use by any nation in the world. The Constitution was adopted on September 17, 1787, by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and ratified by conventions in each state in the name of "The People". It has been amended twenty-seven times. The first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights – Congress proposed 12 amendments in September 1789; 10 were ratified by the states, and their adoption was certified on December 15, 1791. The Constitution organizes the country’s basic political institutions. The main law of the country comprises the preamble, seven articles and twenty seven amendments. The first three Articles of the Constitution establish the three branches of the national government: a legislature, the bicameral Congress; an executive branch led by the President; and a judicial branch headed by the Supreme Court. They also specify the powers and duties of each branch. All powers not enumerated are reserved to the respective states and the people, thereby establishing the federal system of government. 2) Tell about the oldest written constitution still in use in the world. Exercise 2.
1) Read and translate the text and answer the questions: a) Where is the U. S. Congress located? b) What are the responsibilities of the U. S. Congress? c) How is the Speaker of the House of Representatives chosen? d) Why is the Senate called “the house that never dies”?
U. S. Congress Congress of the United States is the legislature of the United States of America, established under the Constitution of 1789 and separated structurally from the executive and judicial branches of government. It consists of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Congress must assemble at least once a year. The United States Capitol, often called the Capitol or the Capitol Building, is the seat of the United States Congress. It is located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The Capitol is the highest building in the city. By the law no house in Washington can be higher than the Capitol. Among the powers of Congress as defined in the Constitution are the powers to lay and collect taxes, borrow money on the credit of the United States, regulate commerce, coin money, declare war, raise and support armies, and make all laws necessary for the execution of its powers. The House of Representatives. The House of Representatives comprises 435 members. Each state is guaranteed at least one member of the House of Representatives. House members are elected for two-year terms from districts of approximately equal population. The allocation of seats is based on the population within the states. The most significant role in the House of Representatives is that of Speaker of the House. This individual, who is chosen by the majority party, presides over debate, and performs other important duties. The Senate. The Senate is one of the upper house of Congress of the United States. Senators are elected directly by voters of each state. Each state elects two senators for six-year terms. The nickname of the Senate is “the house that never dies”, because the terms of about one-third of the Senate membership expire every two years. The Vice-President of the United States serves as the president of the Senate but can vote only in instances where there is a tie[1]. The Senate shares with the House of Representatives responsibility for all lawmaking within the United States. For an act of Congress to be valid, both houses must approve an identical document. Although the two chambers of Congress are separate, but they have an equal role in the enactment of legislation, and there are several aspects of the business of Congress that the Senate and the House of Representatives share and that require common action. 2) Tell about the structure and functions of the U. S. Congress
[1] A tie – равное количество голосов.
Exercise 3.
1) Read and translate the text and answer the questions: a) What is the structure of the Cabinet? b) What is the main function of the Cabinet? c) Where does the Cabinet meet?
Cabinet of the United States
The Cabinet of the United States, or the Presidential Cabinet, is the group of the most senior appointed officers under the executive branch of the United States. It consists mostly of officials that are heads of federal executive departments. The Cabinet is the principal official advisory body to the President of the United States. The President chairs the meetings the Cabinet but is not formally a member of it. There are 26 members in the Cabinet: the Vice-President, 15 department heads, and 10 Cabinet-level officials, all except two of whom require Senate confirmation. A member of the presidential cabinet cannot be a member of Congress or a governor. Governors, U.S. senators and members of the House of Representatives must resign before being sworn in as a member of the Presidential Cabinet. Except for the Vice-President and Attorney General, all Cabinet heads are called "secretary." The Secretary of State is the highest-ranking member of the Presidential Cabinet. The Secretary of State is also fourth in the line of succession to the Presidency behind the Vice President, the Speaker of the House and the Senate president pro tempore[1]. Cabinet officers serve as the heads of the following executive agencies of the government: Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Interior, Justice, Labour, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, State, Transportation, Treasury, Veterans Affairs. The Cabinet does not have any collective executive powers or functions of its own, and no votes need to be taken. The point of the Cabinet is to have a group of people knowledgeable in different areas to advise the President on policies and the direction the administration should take. The Cabinet meets at the White House – the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States. During the Cabinet meetings, the members sit in the order in which their respective department was created, with the earliest being closest to the President and the newest farthest away. The Cabinet serves “at the pleasure of the President”, meaning that the President can fire its members whenever he wants. 2) Retell the text.
[1] pro tempore – временный
D
US State System
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