The United States has a federal constitutional republic and a representative democracy. This means power is divided between a central (federal) government and individual states, and the government is based on a constitution that limits powers and guarantees certain rights
. Key Features:
- Federal System: Power is shared between the national government and 50 states, each with its own laws and leaders
- Three Branches of Government:
- Legislative: Congress (Senate and House of Representatives) makes laws
* **Executive:** The President enforces laws and leads the executive branch
* **Judicial:** The Supreme Court and other federal courts interpret laws and ensure they align with the Constitution
- Checks and Balances: Each branch has powers that check the others to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful
- Republican Form: Elected representatives make decisions on behalf of the people, rather than direct rule by citizens
- Elections: Most officials, including the President and members of Congress, are elected by citizens through regular elections
In summary, the U.S. government is a federal republic with a strong tradition of representative democracy and a system designed to balance power among its branches and between the federal and state governments
