Constitution of the USA: Salient Features

What does the American constitution means to you its simple answer that it is a system of laws for the
protection of right of American citizens and set the limits of government as well. There are total of thirty
three amendments of American constitution adopted by the American congress since march 4, 1789. It
was signed on September 17, 1787 by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The
first ten of these amendments are together called the Bill of Rights.
American Constitution is Written
Like other federal constitutions in the world, the American constitution is written in form. It is a brief
document consisting of only 7 Articles and 27 Amendments. The USA Constitution is written Constitution
which is made at Philadelphia convention in 1789. It consist on seven articles which are not more than
seven thousand words.

Brief Constitution

The USA Constitution is the briefest constitution over all the world. It consist on seven articles which are
not more than seven thousand words.

Enacted Constitution

The American constitution is enacted Constitution which framed at convention of Philadelphia in 1787 and
ratify in 1788 and implied in 1789.

Bicameralism

The constitution lays down the legislation as bicameralism. In which one congress, which consist on
senate and House of Common. The senate member is two from every state. The member of House of
Representative are according to population current are 538.

Fundamental Rights

The fundamental rights secure in constitution in first three amendments.

Fundamental rights and Liberty:

Another important feature of the American constitution is that it ensures certain fundamental rights for
every America citizen, of which he cannot be deprived by any lawful authority. Freedom f religious
worship, freedom of speech and press, right to assemble peacefully and property rights etc. are some of
the fundamental rights enjoyed by the U.S citizens.

Federal Character
The American constitution is federal in character. America was originally a federation of 13 States but due
to admission of new states, it is now a federation of 50 States. A constitutional division of powers has
been made between the centre and the federating units.

Rigidity
American constitution is probably the most rigid constitution in the world. It can be amended by a very
lengthy and difficult process. Every amendment, which can be moved in two different ways, must be
ratified by 3/4th of the states. The rigidity of the constitution is obvious from the fact that during more than
200 years it has been in operation; only 27 amendments have been made in the constitution.

Presidential System
The constitution provides for the presidential type of government in the U.S.A. All powers are vested in
the President. He is elected for a fixed period or 4 years and cannot be removed before the expiry or his
tenure. The President is not politically responsible to the Congress. He has nothing to do with the
Congress. The member of his Cabinet are neither members of the Congress nor answerable to it.

Supremacy of the Constitution

Supermacy of the constitution means the supreme law of the land. Neither the centre nor the states can
override it. A law or an executive order repugnant to the constitution can be declared unconstitutional and
invalid by; the Supreme Courts.

Separation of Powers
The U.S constitution is based on the doctrine or "Separation or Powers. Although the three wings of
administration, viz the executive the legislative and the judiciary. The Congress is the legislative organ.
The President is the executive who is elected directly by the people and has nothing to do with the
Congress. He enjoys a fixed tenure of 4 years and is not a member of the Congress and cannot be
removed by the vote of no confidence before the expiry of his term of office. The Supreme Court heads
the Federal judiciary and enjoys freedom in its work.

System of Checks and Balances

Recognizing the importance of close cooperation among three organs of the government, the Fathers of
the constitution introduced -Checks and Balances". The powers of one organ were so devised as to
exercise a check upon the powers of others. As for example, the President can veto the Bills passed by
the legislature. The Senate shares with the President his powers of making appointments` to the various
federal offices and conclusion of treaties and agreements with foreign states. All such appointments and
treaties must be ratified by 2/3rd majority in the Senate. The organization of the federal judiciary is
determined by the Congress and the judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President with
the consent of the Senate. The Supreme Courts can declare the laws 'passed by the Congress and
executive, action taken by the President ultra-wires if the same are in clash with any provision(s) of the
constitution.

Judicial Review
The constitution provides for the Judicial Review, of the legislative enactment. The federal judiciary can
declare any legislation or executive action null and void if the same is found to be inconsistent with the
provisions of the constitution. The Judiciary thus acts as the guardian and custodian of the constitution
and fundamental rights of the citizens. The Supreme Court has so interpreted the constitution that it has
adapted it to the changing needs of society. It has enlarged the power of the Congress.

Republicanism and U.S Constitution

The U.S.A. is a republic with the President as the elected head of the State. The constitution derives its
authority from the people. Moreover, the constitution makes it binding upon every constituent state to
have the republican form of government.

Dual Citizenship
The U.S. constitution provides for dual citizenship for the people of the United States. An American is the
citizen of the U.S.A. and also of the state wherein he or she is domiciled. The feature of dual citizenship
was introduced in the American constitution by the 4th amendment.

Spoil System
This is an interesting feature of the American political system. The system is associated with the name of
President, Andrew Jackson. According to this system, when a new President takes over the charge of
administration, appoints afresh all-important officials of federal government. The entire administration of
the previous President is streamlined. The system is known as "Spoil System- because important jobs
are, distributed among, the henchmen of the President or his Party without taking into accountability;
.experiences or talent of the men appointed.