THE US CONSTITUTION

A «constitution» in American political language has acquired a wide meaning of a set of rules, laws, regulations and customs which together provide the practical norms or standards regulating the work of the government.

The United States constitution was adopted in September 1787 when the Constitutional Convention met behind the closed doors in Philadelphia to formulate a Constitution of the new nation. This document embodied the political theories of the Founding Fathers (“Founders” in short).

Article V allowed for amendments to be made to the Constitution if they are passed by a two-thirds majority in both houses of the Congress and then ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states. The Constitution was finally ratified by all 13 states in 1791 and it contained already 10 amendments collectively known as the Bill of Rights which proclaimed the freedom of religion, speech and the press. These freedoms protected the citizens against possible tyranny by the federal government. So far only 27 amendments have been made to the Constitution. The American constitution is considered to be one of the most rigid constitutions in the world because a rather complicated machinery is necessary to alter it or add any new amendment.

The Constitution agreed upon in 1787, is, with some amendments, in force to this day. It consists of the Preamble, seven Articles and 27 Amendments. It is based on the doctrine of the separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial bodies. It means that respective government institutions – the Presidency, Congress and the Courts – are given limited and specific powers. A series of checks and balances, whereby each branch of power has certain authority over the others, are also included to make sure that these powers are not abused. Next, government power is further limited by means of a dual system of government according to which the federal government is only given the powers and responsibilities to deal with problems facing the nation as a whole (foreign affairs, trade, control of the Army and Navy, etc.). The remaining responsibilities and duties of government were given to the individual state governments.

The single document known as the Constitution of the United States, though a basic document, is only a part of the body of rules and customs which form the whole of the American Constitution. Supreme Court decisions, interpreting the content of the U.S. Constitution, laws, regulations and customs, are part of the basic law called «the whole live constitution».

4. Match the following English and Russian equivalents:

1) a set of rules & laws 2) the Founding Fathers 3) a two-thirds majority 4) the Bill of Rights 5) a branch of power 6) executive power 7) legislative power 8) judicial power 9) a series of checks and balances 10) foreign affairs

a) исполнительная власть b) ветвь власти c) судебная власть d) большинство в две трети e) набор правил и законов f) отцы-основатели g) законодательная власть h) система сдержек и противовесов i) иностранные дела j) Билль о правах

5 Read the text and say if the following statements are true or false:

1) The Federal Government minds the federal matters while the state governments are responsible for state matters. 2) A series of checks and balances are additional guarantees against any abuse of power. 3) The single document known as the Constitution of the USA is a very simple document in structure. 4) The simple Americans trusted the federal government from the very beginning. 5) The US Constitution was adopted in 1791. 6) The Constitutional Convention was a big public event open for all people. 7) Article Y allowed for amendments to be made to the Constitution. 8) The Constitution is based on the doctrine of separation of powers. 9) The Bill of Rights was adopted in 1787.

6. Use correct prepositions. In case of doubt turn to the text:

one branch of power has authority (in, over, on) the other; to allow (for, in, out) amendments; amendments (for, to, at) the constitution; laws passed (by, in, over) the congress; to protect the citizens (against, counter, for) possible tyranny; to make amendments (for, to, at) the constitution; the constitution agreed (on, upon, over) in 1787; to be based (over, at, on) the doctrine; separation of powers (among, between, with) three branches of power; to deal (at, with, in) problems.

7. Answer the following questions, then give the summary of the text:

1. When was the US Constitution adopted?

2. What elements does the Constitution consist of?

3. What is known as the Bill of Rights?

4. What does the Bill of Rights proclaim?

5. What does the Bill of Rights protect the citizens against?

6. What doctrine is the Constitution based on?

7. What bodies are the powers separated between?

8. By what means does the Constitution limit the power of the government?

9. Why is a series of checks and balances included in the Constitution?

SPEAKING

1. Learn the following words:

to proclaim – объявлять, провозглашать;

independent – независимый;

to run the country – руководить страной;

to establish – устанавливать;

to distribute – распределять;

law-making – издание законов, законодательство;

to fulfil – исполнять;

judiciary = judicial – судебный.

2. Read and act out the following dialogue:

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