About the U.S.
Government and Politics
Power in the national government is dispersed, divided, and decentralized; it is also limited, directly and indirectly, by the Constitution. To protect certain individual rights and political liberties, this charter places explicit restrictions on the national government, principally through the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment. The 1st Amendment, for instance, mandates that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." The Constitution also establishes checks and balances among the three branches of government - the executive, judiciary, and legislature - each of which has its own independent institutional base and its own enumerated and implied powers. The branches, moreover, share responsibility for policy making at the national level. As a consequence of these characteristics, the Constitution issues an "invitation to struggle" over the direction of American public policy, while at the same time serving as the cornerstone upon which all of American freedom and success lies.
(Abridged from publications of the Bureau of International Information Programs/U.S. Department of State and other U.S. government materials.)
Background Information
- USA.gov - the official U.S. gateway to all government information
- Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids (U.S. Government Printing Office) - information and activities specifically tailored for educators, parents, and students
Executive Branch
- The White House - official homepage of the White House
- President Obama's Cabinet - photos and information on all Cabinet level officials of the Bush Administration
- Federal Agencies and Commissions - alphabetical listing with links to ofcial homepages
Legislative Branch
- U.S. House of Representatives - official web site of the U.S. House of Representatives
- U.S. Senate - official web site of the U.S. Senate
Judicial Branch
- Supreme Court of the United States of America - official web site of the Supreme Court, the highest tribunal in the Nation for all cases and controversies arising under the Consitution or the laws of the United States
- Translation:
- Deutsch
Electronic Journals
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About America: How the United States Is Governed
October 2005. This publication presents a comprehensive yet easy-to-read overview of the various levels of and institutions related to government in the U.S. It 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.
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Outline of U.S. Government
September 2000. What makes U.S. government uniquely American...its Constitution, the separation of powers, the concept of “checks and balances,” the decentralized roles of state and local governments, and a citizenry with wide opportunity to be part of it all.