Lesson XXVIII: Vocabulary in Context

2.2. DEMOCRATIC, REPUBLICAN, EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATURE, JUDICIARY Prof. Jones: I’d rather not to make a long speech tonight. I think that an informal conversation will be much more interesting. Whenever you want to ask a question, please feel free to interrupt me. I’m sure you all know the government of the United States is declared to be based on both DEMOCRATIC and REPUBLICAN principles. It is supposed to be democratic because people govern themselves, yet republican because people elect their representatives and their chief executive. The American Constitution provides for an EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATURE and JUDICIARY, and gives them definite powers. For example the legislature, or Congress, is given a power to make laws. The judiciary, or Supreme Court, is given a power to interpret laws. And the executive, or President, is given a power to enforce laws. Thus, each branch of government has a specific independence and responsibility. In addition, the SEPARATION OF POWER prevents any branch of government to take over the others. A student: Sorry for interrupting you, yet many people consider the supreme power in the United States isn’t given to any branch of power designed by the constitution but to the power of money. Prof. Jones: Would you please introduce yourself? A student: Igor, a student from Serbia. Prof. Jones: Well, Igor, your question is not easy to answer. Igor: Some of my American friends are telling me that the effective power lies in the hands of those who control the money flow, that is, the banks and Wall Street. Are they right? Prof. Jones: Well, what I mentioned so far is what the American founding fathers built in American constitution in 18 th century to secure freedom and welfare for American people. However, in time, due to many factors – from digital revolution to the changing environment, but mostly due to obscure features of human character, the effectiveness of American constitution is being constantly challenged. Obviously, the constitution needs updating. I’ll return to that point later on, Igor. (… to be continued) Exercise: 2.2.1. Answer the Following Questions 1. Did Prof. Jones intend to make a formal speech? 2. Did Prof. Jones think that speaking informally would be much less interesting? 3. What did he give the students permission to do? 4. What kind of principles is the American government based on? 5. How would you describe the democratic principle? 6. How would you describe the republican principle? 7. Which branch has the power to make laws? 8. Which branch has the power to interpret laws? 9. Which brunch has the power to enforce laws? 10. Why can't one branch of the government take over the other two?