The United States has a federal constitutional republic form of government. This means it operates under a constitution that limits government powers and divides authority between a national (federal) government and individual state governments
. Key features of the U.S. government include:
- Federal system: Power is shared between the federal government and the 50 states, each with its own constitution and branches of government
- Constitutional: The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law, defining the structure and powers of government and protecting citizens' rights
- Republic: Officials are elected by the people or their representatives, rather than by hereditary rule
- Separation of powers: The federal government is divided into three distinct branches-legislative, executive, and judicial-each with separate powers and responsibilities to provide checks and balances
* The **legislative branch** (Congress) is bicameral, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives, responsible for making laws and controlling federal spending
* The **executive branch** is headed by the president, who enforces laws and acts as head of state and government, elected indirectly by the Electoral College
* The **judicial branch** includes the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, which interpret laws and the Constitution
- Two-party system: American politics is dominated by the Democratic and Republican parties, with elections mostly conducted by a plurality (first-past-the-post) voting system
In summary, the United States is a federal constitutional republic with a system of separated powers among three branches of government, operating under a constitution that balances power between the national and state levels and ensures democratic representation through elections