Politics
Joe Biden gave a speech in Warsaw ahead of the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The American president called on the West to continue supporting Ukraine, and tore into Vladimir Putin for committing atrocities in the war. A day earlier Mr Biden visited Kyiv. He pledged more military aid, including radars and anti-armour systems, but not the fighter jets that Ukraine has asked for. Air-raid sirens accompanied his walkabout with Volodymyr Zelensky, though no missiles fell on the city. The Russians were told in advance that Mr Biden would be in Kyiv.
On the day Mr Biden was in Warsaw Vladimir Putin gave a rambling speech that predictably blamed the West for Russia’s aggression. He also suspended Russia’s participation in the New START nuclear-arms control agreement, the last remaining nuclear treaty with America, which Mr Putin had pressed America to renew in 2020. Mr Putin’s war has killed tens of thousands of civilians and Ukrainian and Russian troops. More than 8m refugees have fled Ukraine.
Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat, wrapped up an eight-day tour of Europe with a stop in Moscow. Mr Wang said China wanted to be part of peace efforts in Ukraine. But he spent much of his time criticising America. America warned that China was considering sending arms to Russia. The European Union’s foreign-policy chief said that would be a “red line”.
2023-02-23 11:01:05
Source from www.economist.com
The United States is home to a political system that is as diverse and fascinating as its citizens. From the small-town local councils to the federal governing bodies, political influences can be seen everywhere. This article will take a look at the major aspects of the United States’ political landscape, from party systems to the balance of power.
At the top of the political system is the federal government. In the United States, power is shared between the executive branch (the president and his cabinet), the legislative branch (the House of Representatives and the Senate), and the judicial branch (the Supreme Court and other federal courts). Each branch has its own unique powers, responsibilities and authorities, allowing for a balance among the branches.
Within the federal government, the political party system is an integral part of the political landscape. Currently, the two main political parties are the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. These two parties determine who is elected to the federal government, perspective policies and ideologies, and how power is wielded in Washington, D.C.
At the state and local levels, politics is equally important. Many states have their own political parties, which are often affiliated with the major national parties. In the United States, elected offices such as governors, state legislators, mayors, and county administrators are largely dominated by either the Democratic or Republican Party.
In addition to the party system, the United States also has a variety of other political groups and organizations. Pressure groups, interest groups, labor unions and other nonprofits play an important role in shaping the political discourse in the United States. These organizations use their resources to lobby politicians, educate the public on certain issues, and participate in the legislative process.
The United States also has a variety of electoral systems. At the national level, the Presidential election is conducted by the Electoral College. Voters in each state cast their ballots for the presidential candidates, and these votes are combined and allocated to each candidate’s specific campaign. This unique system allows for different states to have an equal say in national elections.
No matter where you live in the United States, politics is an important part of daily life. With the multitude of political parties, grass-roots organizations and electoral systems, the political landscape of the United States is an ever-evolving, fascinating thing to behold.