How is the USA governed, and how do checks and balances limit the President?
The US political system: the codified constitution, separation of powers and federalism, the executive (President), the legislature (Congress), the Supreme Court, and the system of checks and balances.
An SQA Higher Politics answer on the US political system, covering the codified constitution, the separation of powers and federalism, the President, Congress, the Supreme Court, and how checks and balances limit the executive.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
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What this dot point is asking
The SQA wants you to describe how the USA is governed and explain how checks and balances limit the President. The USA is one of the two-from-five political systems candidates may study in depth. Questions ask you to describe an institution (the President, Congress), analyse its powers, or evaluate the effectiveness of the checks on the executive, so you need accurate institutional knowledge and a balanced judgement.
The answer
The constitution, separation of powers and federalism
Because the constitution is entrenched, it limits all branches and can only be changed by a difficult amendment process, which contrasts sharply with the flexible UK system.
The executive
The legislature
The Supreme Court
Checks and balances
Examples in context
When Congress refuses to fund or pass a President's proposals, the budget and legislative checks bite hard, sometimes leading to deadlock or a government shutdown. The Senate's power to confirm or reject judicial and Cabinet appointments shapes the direction of the courts and the administration for years. The Supreme Court's power to rule executive actions unconstitutional has repeatedly forced Presidents to change course. These examples let a Higher answer evaluate how effectively the constitution limits the President rather than just describing the three branches.
Try this
Q1. Describe two powers of the US President. [4 marks]
- Cue. Commander-in-chief of the armed forces and the power to veto legislation; also proposing legislation, issuing executive orders and making appointments.
Q2. Explain two checks Congress has on the President. [6 marks]
- Cue. Congress controls the budget and can override a veto with a two-thirds majority; the Senate confirms appointments and ratifies treaties, and Congress can impeach.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of SQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
SQA Higher 201920 marksEvaluate the effectiveness of the checks and balances on the US President.Show worked answer →
A -mark essay: up to marks for knowledge and understanding and up to for analysis, evaluation and a sustained conclusion.
KU should set out the checks: Congress controls the budget and can reject legislation, override a veto and impeach; the Senate confirms appointments and ratifies treaties; the Supreme Court can rule actions unconstitutional. Naming these accurately strengthens KU.
Evaluation marks come from judging how effective each check is, noting that a President whose party controls Congress faces weaker checks while divided government strengthens them. A sustained conclusion on overall effectiveness lifts the answer.
SQA Higher specimen12 marksAnalyse the powers of the US President.Show worked answer →
A -mark analysis question, roughly half KU and half analysis. Markers reward developed explanation, not a list.
KU should explain the President's powers: head of state and government, commander-in-chief, proposing legislation, issuing executive orders, the veto, and making appointments.
Analysis marks come from explaining the limits set by Congress and the Supreme Court, and judging how far the President is constrained. A clear judgement lifts the answer.
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Sources & how we know this
- SQA Higher Politics Course Specification — SQA (2020)