The political system of the USA

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE USA

The Constitution of the USA was adopted after the War of Inde­pendence on September 17, 1787. It lists the set of rules, laws and regulations which provide the practical norms regulating the work of the government. The document embodied the political theories of the Founding Fathers, who represented the interests of a privileged class, as the great majority of those who formulated the Constitution were men of property.

The Constitution consists of the Preamble and seven articles. Twenty-seven amendments have been added to its original text. The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were added in a group in 1791, as a result of growing popular demands. These amendments establish the individual rights and freedoms to all people of the States, including freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of worship, the right to peaceful assembly, etc. Some of the amendments are now unimportant, but the Fifth Amendment retains its significance in the fight of the American people for their civil rights. It provides that "no person shall deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process of law", and no person "shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself”.

All the amendments adopted by the Congress become an integral part of the Constitution.

THE CONSTITUTION IS THE MAIN LAW OF UKRAINE

The constitutions take a special place in the world civilization and play an important role in the political history of every country. The constitution of the young independent state of Ukraine is not the exception. The principles forming the basis of our Constitution conform to the modern democratic norms operating in all developed countries. But we can say with pride that the legal traditions of the Ukrainian people are deeply rooted in the past.

The first constitutions were adopted at the end of the eighteenth century. The Constitution of the USA was adopted in 1787. In 1791 the Constitutions of France and Poland were adopted. But long before, in 1710, Pylyp Orlyk adopted the document which was the first prototype of modern constitution.

This Constitution included the preamble and 16 paragraphs. The main principles of construction of the Ukrainian state were formulated there: the role of orthodoxy in state and society, the independence of Ukraine from Poland and Moscow. But the most important achievement of this Constitution was the idea of separation of legislative, executive and judicial powers. This idea reflected the most progressive views of that time on the state building. Due to this, it was necessary to bring the Ukrainian legislation into accord with European norms. And during the 5th session of the Verhovna Rada, after the intensive and dramatic debates, which did not stop even at night, the Main Law of Ukraine was adopted. It happened on the 28th of June, 1996, at 9.20 a.m.

The Constitution of Ukraine includes the preamble, 15 chapters and 161 articles. They reflect the main principles of the state system of Ukraine, the rights and duties of its citizens.

THE POLITICAL SYSTEM OF THE USA

The government of the United States is based on a written constitution, the shortest in the world in fact. This constitution consists of a Preamble, seven Articles, and 27 Amendments. From this document, the entire federal government was created. It is a living document whose interpretation has changed over time. The amendment process is such that while not easily amended, US citizens are able to make necessary changes over time.

The Constitution created three separate branches of government. Each branch has its own powers and areas of influence. At the same time, the Constitution created a system of checks and balances that ensured no one branch would reign supreme.

Legislative branch: this branch consists of the Congress which is responsible for making the federal laws. Congress consists of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Executive branch: the executive power lies with the President of the United States who is given the job of executing, enforcing, and administering the laws and government. The Bureaucracy is part of the executive branch.

Judicial branch: the judicial power of the United States is vested in the Supreme Court and the federal courts. Their job is to interpret and apply US laws through cases brought before them. Another important power of the Supreme Court is that of judicial review whereby they can rule laws unconstitutional.

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