PRESIDENTIAL FORM OF GOVERNMENT IN UNITED STATES

What is a Presidential System: A presidential system is a system of government where an executive branch exists and presides (hence the name) separately from the legislature, to which it is not responsible and which cannot, in normal circumstances, dismiss it.

The presidential system of government in United States: The presidential system of government in United States can be divided into three branches i.e. i) ii) iii) The Executive Branch The Legislative Branch The Judicial Branch

1.

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

1.1. THE PRESIDENCY

President is the head of state as well as the head of the government. He is indirectly elected, serves a fixed four-year term and is limited to two terms.
1.1.1. 1.1.1.1. THE SELECTION PROCESS Qualification ad Compensations for the President

The President must be a natural born citizen. He must have attained the age of 35 years. He must have been for fourteen years a resident of the United States.

1.1.2.

THE POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT

Power to Grant Pardons

1.1.2.1.

Executive Powers

President as Chief Administrator Power of Law Enforcement Powers of Appointment Powers of Removal President as Commander in Chief and Military Powers of the President President as Chief Architect of Foreign Policy Emergencies
1.1.2.2. Legislative Powers

Power to Convene Special Session of Congress. Budget. Power to Issue Ordinances. Veto Powers.

1.2. THE VICE- PRESIDENCY

Qualifications. How Vice President is Elected.
1.2.1. FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

1.1.

THE UNITED STATES CABINET

2.

THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

2.1. THE CONGRESS

2.1.1. THE FUNCTIONS OF CONGRESS The Representative Function The Constituent Function The Electoral Function The Legislative Function The Investigative Function The Executive Function The Administrative Function The Judicial Function

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

No of Members. (435) Each state must have at least one member. Distribution of Seats. Mode of Elections. Term.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERS OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Minimum age. Citizenship. Inhabitant of State from which he is elected.

DISQUALIFICATIONS. No person holding any office under the United States shall be a member of either House of Congress during his continuance in office.

THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE:

Determines whether the rules of the House may be suspended. Decides when a bill will be brought to the floor. Appoints the members of select and of conference committees.

2.1.2.

THE FLOOR LEADERS

Each majority party in each house has a floor leader, whose task is the direction of his party from the floor of the house.

2.2.
2.2.1.

THE SENATE
COMPOSITION AND ELECTION.

The Senate consists of 100 members, two from each state. Senators are elected from a state as a whole for a term of six years. The Senate may also expel a member by a two-thirds vote.

2.2.2.

PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE SENATE

The Vice-President of the United States is the presiding officer of the Senate. The Vice-President chooses the members of Senate special committees and the senatorial managers on joint conference committees.

2.2.3.

THE FILIBUSTER

Filibuster is a device by which an insistent minority can, if it feels strongly, usually block action or a proposed bill and frustrates the business of the Senate.

2.2.4. 2.2.4.1.

SPECIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE SENATE Share in Appointments. Share in Treaty-making. A Court of Impeachment.

Committee Organization. i.
ii. iii. iv.

Standing Committees Select Committees Conference Committees Joint Committees

3.

THE JUDICIAL BRANCH

The Supreme Court is headed by the Chief Justice of the United States. In addition to Chief Justice, there are 9 judges. Criteria for Selection. Removal of Judges.

3.1.1.

The Courts Jurisdiction