Features of the Federal System of the United States of America.
Features of the Federal System of the United States of America.
Features of U.S. Federal System
Nature of the Federal System of the United States of America.
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Features and nature of the Federal System of the United States of America.
To discuss the features of the U.S. federal system, we must first talk about its federal structure. The framers of the U.S. Constitution were in favor of building a strong central government. However, the federal structure has been adopted due to the national unity, interests and security of the 13 former colonies. The U.S. Constitution has formed national and regional governments at the national and regional levels.
1. Existence of dual government: -
In the United States, the existence of two types of government can be observed at the central and state levels. Both governments are independent in their respective areas within the powers recognized by the Constitution. The U.S. Constitution has divided the powers between both governments following the federal structure. The organization of the states in the United States is based on geographical principles.
2. Written Constitution: -
The U.S. Constitution is written following the United States structure. Since the constitution is completely written, there is no possibility of conflict between the central and state governments. However, various constitutional customs and traditions affect the US political system.
3. Amending Constitution:-
The US Constitution is particularly amending and its amendment process is very complex. In addition to the consent of two-thirds of both houses of Congress, a minimum of three-fourths of the state legislatures are required to amend the constitution. The US Constitution is indeed complex. For this reason, the US Constitution is considered a unique example of an amending constitution.
4. Supremacy of the Constitution in the Federal System:-
In the US federal system, the sole source of all powers of the central and state governments is the constitution. Both governments have to conduct their affairs in accordance with the constitution. Article 6(2) of the US Constitution clearly mentions the supremacy of the constitution. Any person, institution, and the central and state governments and all their agencies have to act within the powers specified by the constitution.
5. The supremacy of the Supreme Court:-
The US Supreme Court plays an important role as the protector and interpreter of the Constitution. If any law made by the legislature is against the Constitution, the Supreme Court can nullify it. Apart from this, the Supreme Court can nullify any law that is against the principles of justice. The Supreme Court can judge the validity of any law. It also has the final right to issue decisions in the case of administrative orders.
6. Distribution of power between the central and the states:-
According to the characteristics of the US system, power has been distributed between the central government and the state governments in the US system of government. Some specific powers related to law-making, administration and justice of the Constitution have been given to the center, while all the remaining powers have been jointly distributed to the state governments. An attempt has been made to maintain a balance of power between the central and state governments by accepting the demands of nationalist consciousness and the development of capitalist interests.
7. Recognition of dual citizenship:-
Dual citizenship is recognized in the US federal system of government. Every person is a citizen of the United States on the one hand and a citizen of the state in which he lives on the other. In the US federal system, on the one hand, the need for national unity and security and on the other hand, the demand for the independence and autonomy of the states has created the concept of dual loyalty.
8. Separate Constitution for the States: -
There is also a separate constitution for the states of the United States. However, no rules and regulations that are contrary to the US Constitution can be included in the state constitution. The former colonies that joined the United States did not agree to leave their rights in the hands of the center. Their tendency has been proven through separate constitutions.
9. Geographical integrity of the states: -
In the US system of government, the power to change the names and boundaries of the states does not lie solely with the national government. Its purpose is to protect the geographical integrity of the states. According to the US Constitution, its area or boundaries cannot be changed without the opinion of the states.
10. Bicameral Legislature:-
Another important feature of the United States is the existence of a bicameral legislature. The US legislature or parliament is bicameral. The upper house is called the Senate and the lower house is called the House of Representatives. The first is the state house and the second is the people's house.
11. Principle of equal representation in the House of Representatives:-
In the United States, the upper house of the federal legislature is formed on the basis of the principle of equal representation of the states. The Senate is a chamber of 100 people with 2 representatives from each of the 50 states of the United States.
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