Abstract

From the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution which begins “We the people…,” the focus of the American legal system is clear. The individual and personal freedom are the primary concern for protection under U.S. law. Conversely, the German legal system places its focus on the preservation of the democratic system. This difference and the weight the U.S. places on separation of powers, whereas the executive and legislative branches are closely related in Germany, have combined to produce many differences between the U.S. and German political and legal systems. This paper analyzes these differences, especially with regards to administrative agencies and judicial review. However despite these differences, the main goal of both legal systems is the protection of the individual and democratic values, which does lead to some similarities between the political and legal systems of the two nations.

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