About America: How the U.S. is Governed
October 2005
This joint publication of the State Department's Bureau of International Information Programs and Braddock Communications presents a comprehensive yet easy-to-read overview of the various levels of and institutions related to government in the U.S. "How the United States Is Governed" describes how federal, state, and local governments are elected, how they operate, and how the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government relate under the U.S. constitutional system. It also highlights how nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and other institutions allow Americans to influence and shape government policy. This publication contains a glossary and a list of useful Web sites.
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A policy of self-determination for American Indians is one of the most positive aspects of the U.S. experience, and may potentially serve as a model for better relations between other countries and indigenous peoples and populations.