American government

Definition

American government refers to the political institutions, processes, and structures that govern the United States. It includes the three branches of government - executive (President), legislative (Congress), and judicial (Supreme Court) - as well as various bureaucracies at federal, state, and local levels.

Related terms

Separation of Powers: This principle divides powers among different branches of government to prevent any individual or group from gaining too much control.

Checks and Balances: It refers to mechanisms in place that allow each branch of government to limit or oversee actions of the other branches to maintain a balance of power.

Federalism: This system divides powers between the national government and state governments, enabling them to have separate spheres of authority while working together.