"In the United States, politics function within a framework of a constitutional federal republic and presidential system."
Analyzing the systems, institutions and processes of American government, including the constitution, the presidency, Congress, the Supreme Court, political parties, campaigns, and elections.
Constitution: The framework of the American political system, detailing the powers and functions of the three branches of government.
Democracy: The political system of the United States, in which power is vested in the people and exercised through free and open elections.
Federalism: The system in which power is shared between the federal government and individual states.
Political Parties: The two major political parties in the United States, the Democratic Party and Republican Party, along with third parties, ideologies, and their respective platforms.
Elections and Voting: The electoral process for national, state, and local positions in the United States.
Congress: The bicameral legislative branch of the U.S. government, including the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Presidency: The executive branch of the U.S. government, including the role and duties of the president.
Supreme Court and Judicial System: The judiciary branch of the U.S. government, including the role and duties of the Supreme Court, federal and state courts, judges, and lawyers.
Civil Liberties and Rights: Constitutional rights and protections afforded to U.S. citizens, including freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, due process, and equal protection under the law.
Interest Groups and Lobbying: Organized groups of individuals with shared interests that seek to influence public policy.
Media and Politics: The role of the media in shaping public opinion and political discourse, including traditional broadcast and print media as well as social media.
Foreign Policy: U.S. international relations, foreign aid, military operations, and diplomacy.
Public Policy: The processes and outcomes of policy-making, including immigration, healthcare, education, and environmental policy.
Political Theory: The study of the philosophical underpinnings and ideologies of American politics, including liberalism, conservatism, socialism, and democracy.
Democracy: A system of government where citizens have the right to vote and participate in decision-making processes. The United States is a constitutional democracy, where individual freedoms are protected by a written constitution.
Republic: A form of government where citizens elect representatives to make political decisions for them. The United States is a federal republic, where representatives are elected to govern at both the state and federal level.
Federalism: A system of government where power is divided between a central government and constituent units, such as states or provinces. In the United States, power is divided between the federal government and individual states.
Presidential system: A system of government where the head of state is also the head of government. The president is directly elected by citizens and holds executive power. The United States is a presidential system.
Parliamentary system: A system of government where the head of state is separate from the head of government. The head of state is usually a monarch or president, while the head of government is a prime minister who is elected by members of parliament. The United Kingdom is an example of a parliamentary system.
One-party system: A system of government where only one political party is allowed to hold power. This is often associated with authoritarian regimes. An example of a one-party system is China's Communist Party.
Multi-party system: A system of government where multiple political parties have the opportunity to gain power and form a government. The United States has a two-party system, while countries like Italy and Israel have multiparty systems.
Dictatorship: A system of government where a single person or small group has complete power and control over citizens. Examples of dictators include Adolf Hitler in Germany and Joseph Stalin in Russia.
Monarchy: A system of government where a monarch, such as a king or queen, holds ceremonial power over a country. The monarch may share power with an elected government or may have complete autonomy. The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy.
Theocracy: A system of government where religious leaders hold power and religious law is the basis for the legal system. Iran is an example of a theocratic government, as it is run under Islamic law.
"With three distinct branches that share powers: the U.S. Congress which forms the legislative branch, a bicameral legislative body comprising the House of Representatives and the Senate; the executive branch, which is headed by the president of the United States; and the judicial branch."
"Each of the 50 individual state governments has the power to make laws within its jurisdiction that are not granted to the federal government nor denied to the states in the U.S. Constitution."
"Each state also has a constitution following the pattern of the federal constitution but differing in details. Each has three branches: an executive branch headed by a governor, a legislative body, and a judicial branch."
"At the local level, governments are found in counties or county-equivalents, and beneath them individual municipalities, townships, school districts, and special districts."
"Officials are popularly elected at the federal, state, and local levels, with the major exception being the President, who is instead elected indirectly by the people through the Electoral College."
"U.S. politics is dominated by two parties, which since the American Civil War have been the Democratic Party and the Republican Party."
"Since the mid-20th Century, the Democratic Party has generally supported left-leaning policies, while the Republican Party has generally supported right-leaning ones."
"Both parties have no formal central organization at the national level that controls membership, elected officials, or political policies."
"Almost all public officials in America are elected from single-member districts and win office by winning a plurality of votes cast."
"Suffrage is nearly universal for citizens 18 years of age and older."
"The notable exception being registered felons in some states."
"The judicial branch... is composed of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, and exercises judicial power."
"The U.S. Congress forms the legislative branch, a bicameral legislative body comprising the House of Representatives and the Senate."
"The executive branch is headed by the president of the United States, who serves as the country's head of state and government."
"Each state also has an executive branch headed by a governor."
"Officials are popularly elected at the federal, state, and local levels."
"The major exception being the President, who is instead elected indirectly by the people through the Electoral College."
"Each state also has a constitution following the pattern of the federal constitution but differing in details."
"Although other parties have run candidates."