11 The Constitution

The Constitution sets the basic form of government: three separate branches, and each branch has powers over the others. It specifies which powers and duties belong to the federal government and which powers belong to the states. The Constitution was amended several times, but it is still the “supreme law of the land”. The ultimate power under the Constitution is not given to the President or to the Supreme Court or to a political party. It belongs to “We the people”.

In this way Americans first took for themselves the liberties and rights that elsewhere were the privileges of a small ruling class. In the first ten amendments, known together as the Bill of Rights, Americans stated what they considered the fundamental rights of any person. They consider these rights as natural “unalienable” rights of every American, for which they fought and which they won. These rights cannot be taken away by any government, court, official or law. (900)

Notes to the text:

powers and duties - полномочия

in this way – таким образом

elsewhere – где-либо в другом месте

unalienable - неотъемлемые

official - чиновник

12 The Bill of Rights

When the Constitution was written in 1787, there were only 13 states. Over the years 26 amendments were added, but the basic document was not changed. The pattern of government planned so long ago for 13 states today meets the needs of 50 states and the population that increased more than 58 times.

The first ten amendments, called the Bill of Rights assure individual rights and freedoms. Added in 1791, they include the freedom of religion, speech and the press, the right of peaceful assembly, the right to be protected in one’s own home against unreasonable searches, arrests and seizure of property, and the right of trial by jury of fellow citizens. (550)

Notes to the text:

over the years – с годами

meets the needs – удовлетворяют потребностям

assure - обеспечивают

jury of fellow citizens – жюри присяжных заседателей из своих сограждан

13 The American System of Government

The whole system of American government is based on the principles established in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

The state governments follow the same pattern as the federal government. Each has a governor as the chief executive, with power divided among the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches. State governments manage such affairs as maintaining order, educating children and young people and building highways. The federal government deals with national problems and international relations and with regional problems that involve more than one state.

There are several basic principles which are found at all levels of American government. One of these is the “one person, one vote” principle, which says that legislators are elected from geographical districts directly by the voters. Under this principle, all election districts must have about the same number of residents.

Another fundamental principle of American government is that because of the system of checks and balances, compromise in politics is a matter of necessity, not choice. For example, the House of Representatives controls spending and finance, so the President must have its agreement for his proposals and programmes. In foreign affairs, he is also strongly limited. The rule is “the President proposes, but Congress disposes”. What a President wants to do is often a different thing from what a President is able to do. (1200)

Notes to the text:

follow the same pattern as – следуют такому же образцу, что и

a governor as the chief executive – губернатор как глава исполнительной власти

deals with – имеет дело с

under this principle – по этому принципу

the same number – одинаковое количество

the system of checks and balances – система сдержек и противовесов

is often a different thing from – часто совсем другое, чем