- Bipartisanship: Close cooperation between the two major parties to achieve desired political goals. In the US system of government, it may be crucial for political successful.
- When things such as law making etc only happen when all branches of government work together so laws can get passed.
Explain
Divided Government, Does It Happen Often:
- Divided Government: When the presidency is controlled by one party and one or both houses of Congress are controlled by the other party
- Of late this has been the norm, 1969-2016 this has happened and has seen 35 ½ years divided for 24 of these years neither party has controlled both houses.
Examples
Of Divided Government:
- Not since 1935 has Senate rejected a treaty
- Only twice in 50 years has Congress vetoed the POTUS veto
- President Johnson persuaded Congress with democratic majorities to pass the Tonkin Gulf Resolution.
SC nominees such as Bork and Thomas were rejected by a democratic controlled Senate - Now Trump has been elected it is the first time that both houses are in control of both houses.
Does The US
Constitution Still Work:
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Yes:
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No:
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Federalism has proved to be
an excellent compromise between strong national government and
state government diversity
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The amendment process is
too difficult making it almost impossible to amend parts that are
no longer applicable or to add parts that a majority desires.
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The text has proved very
adaptable to changes in American society
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The power of judicial
review gives the Supreme Court too much ‘power’ to amend its
meaning
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The demanding amendments
process has usually prevented frequent and ill-conceived proposals
for amendments
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It is too negative, giving
too much power to those who oppose change
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Rights and liberties of
Americans have been protected
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Some parts make little
sense in today’s society e.g the Electoral College
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The Supreme Court’s power
of judicial review has made it even more adaptable through
‘interpretative amendment’
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Some parts don’t work as
the framers of the Constitution would have envisaged e.g
war-making powers.
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