Understanding the American Political System: Federal Structure and Separation of Powers

In this video, we provide a quick overview of the American political system, detailing its federal structure where sovereignty is shared between the national government and the states, and its presidential system with checks and balances among the judiciary, executive, and legislative branches. The video covers the slow lawmaking process, judicial review by the Supreme Court, and the unique Electoral College system. It also explores the relationship between Congress and the President, the roles of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and the limited but existent federal welfare services in the U.S. A look at landmark policies like the New Deal and the Great Society highlights the philosophical underpinnings of American welfare compared to Europe.

00:00 Introduction to the American Political System
00:22 Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances
02:08 The Judiciary's Role and Judicial Review
03:29 The Electoral System and the Electoral College
07:07 Congress and the Presidential Executive
09:18 The House of Representatives and the Senate
10:13 The Federal Bureaucracy and Political Appointments
10:51 Public Policy and Welfare State Debates
12:46 Conclusion and Summary