The Constitution of the USA

TEXT 1

Task 2. Read the text and say if the American Constitution is the bases of all government and law and how the Constitution separates the powers of the government.

"We the people, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and ensure the blessings of liberty, to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." - these are the opening words of the Constitution of the United States of America that was adopted after the War of Independence in September 1787.

The US Constitution took a special place in the history of law. Written constitutions first came to light in the 18th century. They generally set out a framework by which laws were made and enforced. A constitution that included many specific statutes would be inflexible and would quickly grow obsolete. The US Constitution despite its pioneering nature proved to be one of the most durable and influential.

Although the American system of government is based on Great Britain's, it differs in having a written constitution that is the bases of all government and law. It lists the set of rules, law regulations, which provide the practical norms, regulating the work of the government. According to the Constitution there are three separate branches, each one having powers (“checks and balances”) over others. It specifies the powers and the duties of each federal branch of government, with all other powers belonging to the states. All governments and governmental groups, federal state and local must operate within its guidelines. The ultimate power under the Constitution is not given to the President, or the Supreme Court, or a political group or party. It belongs to “We the People”, in fact and in spirit.

The Constitution consists of Preamble and seven articles. 27 amendments have so far been added to its original text. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were added in 1791. These amendments establish the individual rights and freedoms to all people of the states, including freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of worship, etc.

Over its history, the Constitution has also had considerable influence outside the United States. Several other nations have based their own forms of government on it.

1. Give English equivalents of the following:

to establish justice, to provide for the common defense, to adopt, to come to light, to set out, to enforce laws, statute, to grow obsolete, influential, system of government, the bases of, law regulations, practical norms, operate within guideline, the ultimate power, amendment, individual rights and freedoms.

2. Suggest the English for:

В целях образования, история права, писаная конституция, утверждать рамки, применять закон, неизменяемый, свод правил, предусматривать фактические правовые нормы, независимые ветви власти, оговаривать (обозначать), права и обязанности, ветви власти, в соответствии с конституцией, на деле и в мыслях, свобода слова, свобода вероисповедания.