"The federal government of the United States (U.S. federal government or U.S. government) is the national government of the United States, a federal republic located primarily in North America."
- understanding the structure and history of the government at the state level is essential to understanding current policies and practices.
Constitution: An overview of the document that establishes the framework for government and defines the powers of each branch.
Branches of Government: Understanding the system of separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
National Government: Understanding the national government's roles and functions in areas such as foreign relations, defense, and economic policy.
State Government: Understanding the organization and functions of state governments, including the powers of state governors and legislatures.
Local Government: Understanding the roles and functions of local governments, including responsibilities for providing essential services, such as law enforcement and education.
Elections: Understanding how elections work, including the different types of elections, electoral processes, and the impact of campaigns and voter behavior.
Political Parties: Understanding the major political parties in the United States and their roles in shaping public policy.
Interest Groups: Understanding the role of interest groups in shaping public policy and the different types of interest groups, such as economic interest groups, environmental groups, and civil rights groups.
Public Opinion: Understanding how public opinion is formed, measured, and used to shape public policy.
Civil Liberties: Understanding the Bill of Rights and other constitutional protections for individual rights and freedoms.
Civil Rights: Understanding the history and ongoing struggle for equal rights and protections for marginalized and underrepresented groups.
Foreign Policy: Understanding the nation's foreign policy goals and strategies, including diplomacy, military intervention, and trade.
Economic Policy: Understanding the role of government in regulating the economy and promoting economic growth, including the use of fiscal and monetary policy.
Public Administration: Understanding the principles and practices of public management, including budgeting, human resources, and performance management.
Bureaucracy: Understanding the role of bureaucratic agencies in implementing public policy and the challenges of managing a complex and diverse public workforce.
Intergovernmental Relations: Understanding the complex relationships and power struggles between levels of government, including federal, state, and local governments.
Federalism: Understanding the system of federalism, including the distribution of powers between the national government and state governments.
Public Policy: Understanding the policymaking process, including the role of interest groups, political parties, and public opinion in shaping public policy.
Political Theory: Understanding the major theories and philosophies that underpin political systems, including liberalism, conservatism, socialism, and anarchism.
Comparative Politics: Understanding the similarities and differences between political systems around the world, including different forms of government, electoral systems, and levels of political participation.
Monarchy: A form of government in which a ruling family holds the highest authority, typically passed down through generations in a hereditary manner.
Dictatorship: A form of government in which the ultimate authority lies with a single individual who holds a firm grip on power and is usually not subject to election.
Democracy: A form of government in which people are given the right to vote and make decisions on behalf of themselves and the community.
Theocracy: A form of government in which the ruling class considers religious doctrine as supreme and enforces it on the general population.
Anarchy: A form of government where there is no hierarchy or central authority system to enforce any laws and the general population governs itself.
Oligarchy: A form of government where power is held by a small group of wealthy individuals or corporations.
Federalism: A form of government where the central government shares its power and authority with the state and local governments.
Aristocracy: A form of government in which the ruling class is made up of a collection of noble families.
Totalitarianism: A form of government where the guiding principles and ideologies of a single person or group are forced upon society.
Republic: A form of government where citizens elect officials to represent them and make decisions on their behalf.
Meritocracy: A form of government that prioritizes an individual's ability and expertise in decision-making rather than their wealth or status.
Feudalism: A form of government in which land ownership is granted in exchange for military service or monetary payments to a higher-ranking lord.
Communism: A form of government based upon the idea of community ownership of property and resources.
Confederacy: A form of government where each individual state retains its sovereignty over governing affairs while subscribing to the same principles under a central government.
Parliamentary: A form of government where power rests within the legislative body with direct representation from the people.
"Composed of 50 states..."
"...five major self-governing territories..."
"...the federal district and national capital of Washington, D.C., where most of the federal government is based."
"The U.S. federal government, sometimes simply referred to as "Washington," is composed of three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial..."
"...legislative, executive, and judicial..."
"...whose powers are vested by the U.S. Constitution in the Congress..."
"...whose powers are vested by the U.S. Constitution in...the president..."
"...whose powers are vested by the U.S. Constitution in...the federal courts..."
"The powers and duties of these branches are further defined by acts of Congress..."
"The powers and duties of these branches are further defined by acts of Congress..."
"...including the creation of executive departments and courts subordinate to the U.S. Supreme Court."
"...including the creation of executive departments and courts subordinate to the U.S. Supreme Court."
"...courts subordinate to the U.S. Supreme Court."
"...where most of the federal government is based."
"The U.S. federal government, sometimes simply referred to as 'Washington'..."
"...a federal republic located primarily in North America..."
"...several island possessions..."
"...in Washington, D.C..."
"...where most of the federal government is based."