Politics in the United States

The American government is built up by the Congress (legislative powers), the President (executive powers) and the Supreme Court (judicial powers). And each state have the power over following areas; foreign affairs, defense, monetary policy and trade. 

• The Congress consists of two chambers, the House of Representatives and the Senate. They have the power to pass law, levy taxes and decide how federal money is to be used. 
• The President is Head of State, chief executive, commander-in-chief and chief diplomat.
  
• The Supreme Court has nine members and they get appointed for life. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. That means that have the last word when it comes to decide laws.    

The two major parties in the US are the Democratic and the Republican party. 

The Democratic Party

They have support in the large cities and states on the coasts and among working class and minorities.

• Liberal
• Supports stronger federal authority
• Shape the American society. Example: reduce gap between the rich and the poor
• Support welfare programs
• Use taxes wisely for the good of the citizens of the US

The Republican Party

They have support in the suburbs of larger cities, heartland of the Midwest, the south and among business people.

• Conservative
• Against social welfare schemes because they believe that every man shoud be able to take care of himself
• Support lower level of taxation
• Support lower level of federal spending except on defense

A president (and its vice president) is elected every four year. In order to run, the candidates have to be at least 35 years of age and native-born American citizens.  They must have been US-residents for the last 14 years as well.

A presidential election is in fact 51 separate elections (each in every state + District of Columbia) A candidate needs 270 or more electoral votes to gain absolute majority. If a candidate wins in one state, it gets its electoral votes. The number of electoral votes is calculated regarding to how many citizens who reside in that very state.