英语报刊选读unit1Politics

1、Reading about politicsBrief introduction to American politicsExamining an articleAmerican PoliticsDonkey and Elephant FightDonkey and Elephant FightDonkey and Elephant FightTwo major Political Partiestwo major political parties in US the Democratic Party the Republican Party American political syste

2、mThe US political system is often referred to as a “two-party system”While in reality there are many different parties, there are only two which hold the vast majority of power and influence, as well as most of the elected offices in the country.Republican PartyFormed in 1854 by anti-slavery activis

3、ts, today is considered to be the more conservative of the two parties, generally favoring smaller government and less regulation and taxation of businesses.Key words: Conservative, Right-wingRecent Republican PresidentsGeorge H.W. BushGeorge W. BushDemocratic PartyOne of the oldest political partie

4、s which still exists in the US, the Democratic party is generally considered the more liberal American party. Today they represent the ideas of social liberalism and progressive policy.Key Words:Liberal, Left-wing, Progressive, socialRecent Democratic Presidents:Barack ObamaWilliam J. Clinton Electi

5、ng President1. Primary election (Feb.-June)2. The major parties hold conventions to choose candidates for President to determine the parties platforms3.The campaigning stage radio, television, newspapers, and personal communications4. Choose a slate of presidential electors who make up the Electoral

6、 College (Election day: Tuesday following the 1st Monday in November)5. the electors in the Electoral College vote for the presidency on the first Monday after the second Wednesday. NOT POPULAR VOTE BUT ELECTORAL VOTESElectoral CollegeThe electors of all 50 states and the District of Columbia (3 ele

7、ctors)-a total of 538 To be successful, a candidate for Presidency must receive at least 270 votes.If no candidate has a majority, the decision shall be made by the House of Representatives, with all members from a state voting as a unit. In this event, each state and the District of Columbia would

8、be allotted one vote only. The “winner-take-all” system The candidate with the most votes in a state wins all of that states electoral votes. The candidate who wins the majority of the Electoral College votes will be the president.Who would be the president?Inauguration ceremonyThe presidential term

9、 of 4 years begins on January 20 following the November election.held on the steps of the US Capitol.The president publicly takes an oath of office, which is administered by the Chief Justice.The oath-taking ceremony is followed by an inaugural address, in which the new President outlines the polici

10、es and plans of his administration. Inauguration ceremony, 2013The Inauguration1月月20日，在华盛顿，大批观众观看奥巴马就职典礼日，在华盛顿，大批观众观看奥巴马就职典礼。Text studyThe Higher Education of WashingtonUniversities step up lobbying to protect funding interests.By Dan MorganWhat is Lobbying? 游说游说Lobbying is attempting to influence m

11、embers of government, especially legislators or members of regulatory agencies.It is common in the US for corporations, advocacy groups, or individuals to engage in lobbying to promote their interests.Many lobbyists are professionals, hired by others to advocate for them.Text understandingQuestions

12、for discussion:Para 1-81. What was the purpose for the University of California to work out the cover story about Jerry Lewis?2. What would Bushs fiscal 2005 budget proposal give the most support?3. Why is the higher education community using every lobbying tool to protect its interests?4. Why do yo

13、u think that the higher educational institutions are still reluctant to do this in a large scale?Para 8-165. Can you give some examples to show how the higher education community has been working hard to make use of political lobbying for their interests?Para17-32 6. Why does the author say “The stakes are usually high this year”?7. What would be the possible negative effects of Bushs budget cut on most basic research?8. When Sen. Specter made a comment on the higher education lobby, why did