Political change in the US

The Constitution
1. The requirement for super majorities
  1. 2/3rds in both Houses
    1. 3/4ths of all states
      1. Incredibly difficult
        Only 27 successful amendments
        Means that the Bill of Rights has an entrenched status
        Failure to pass Flag Desecration
        Failure to pass an equal rights amendment for women
        Gun control would require a constitutional amendment
The system of government
1. The Founding Fathers wanted a system that was hard to change
  1. They did not like the centralisation of power in the British system
    1. The Separation of Powers
      1. Federalism
        Divided government
        Increased partisanship in US politics makes this even worse
        The rise of the Tea Party
The Supreme Court
1. The power of Judicial Review
  1. Means that the Court can strike down laws as unconstitutional
    1. Impact can be shown by attempts to introduce gun control
      1. DC v Heller 2008
      2. US v Lopez 1995
      3. Printz v US 1997
The power of the President
1. The decline in the power of the President
  1. The imperilled Presidency
    1. The President only has the power to persuade
      1. Obama and gun control?
        Shootings at Sandyhook Elementary School
        Public opinion seemed in favour of a gun control measure
        Obama set up a task force under Biden
        Executive Order January 2013
        Proposals for Congress to consider
        The NRA mobilised Congress to block these proposals
        However, some were passed at state level - Connecticut and New York
2. However, the President is still an incredibly important figure in US politics
  1. They are capable of making significant changes
    1. Obama won a convincing victory in 2008
      1. The Democrats also had control of the Senate and the House
        This enabled him to introduce 'Obamacare'
    2. Trump?
      1. The Republicans control both the House and the Senate
        This means he is in a position to change US politics?
        However, Republicans are opposing his plans to change Obamacare
  2. The Imperial Presidency
Congress
1. The two- year election cycle in the House
  1. This means that members have to respond to the wishes of constituents
    1. Party control can be weak
      1. Link to power of the President
2. Difficulties of legislative process
  1. Laws have to pass through both Houses
    1. The influence of Pressure Groups on this process
      1. Groups such as the NRA can mobilise politicians to stop unwanted bills

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Political change in the US

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	Created by Dan Bacon about 7 years ago