The way in which the United States is governed, including the structures, processes, and institutions that make and enforce laws.
Related terms
Bureaucracy: A system of government in which important decisions are made by state officials rather than elected representatives.
Separation of Powers: The division of governmental powers among three branches - legislative, executive, and judicial - to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Checks and Balances: A system where each branch of government has some control over the actions of other branches to maintain a balance of power.