14 Questions About Government in the United States Answered

<!doctype html> <html lang="en" class="list-desktop ui-ie7 ui-ie"> <head prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns# fb: https://ogp.me/ns/fb#"> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130"> <link rel="preload" as="script" href="https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js" /> <link rel="icon" href="/favicon.png" /> <meta name="description" content="This list provides answers to 14 key questions about government in the United States." /> <meta name="keywords" content="United States, politics, government, democracy, Congress, Senate, House of Representatives, federal government, state government, local government, president, governor, mayor, council, town meeting, U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, amendments, census, citizen, voting, executive branch, legislative branch, judicial branch, U.S. Supreme Court, law, bill, liberty, Washington D.C." /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.britannica.com/list/14-questions-about-government-in-the-united-states-answered" /> <title>14 Questions About Government in the United States Answered | Britannica</title> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel"> window.$UI = {}; window.Constants = {"LICENSE_URL": "/bps/license","DEFAULT_TEST_VERSION": "A","DEFAULT_STATE": "XX","QUIZ_URL": "/quiz","SPOTLIGHT_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/spotlight","CONTENT_TYPE_TEXT": "text/plain;charset=UTF-8","TOPIC_FACTS_DATA_URL": "/facts","QUIZ_BROWSE_IMAGE_QUIZZES": "images","TOPIC_MEDIA_PATH": "/images-videos","USER_PROFILE_URL": "/user","DEBUG_URL": "/debug","ONE_GOOD_FACT_URL": "/one-good-fact","ERROR_404_URL": "/error404","PROCON_CITED_IN_THE_NEWS_URL": "/procon/ProCon-in-the-News","PROCON_URL": "/procon","TOPIC_PAGE_CONTENT_AJAX_URL": "/topic-content/page","INFINITE_SCROLL_PREFIX_URL": "/scroll","TOPIC_TOP_QUESTION_BROWSE_URL": "/questions","CC_USD": "USD","domain": "britannica.com","SURVEY_URL": "/survey","CATEGORY_BROWSE_URL": "/browse","STORY_BROWSE_URL": "/stories","COUNTRY_US": "US","OPEN_MEDIA_OVERLAY_PARAMETER": "/media","NEWSLETTER_SUBSCRIPTION_URL": "/newsletter-subscription","MAINTENANCE_ERROR_URL": "https://maintenance.eb.com","IMARS_EDITOR_ID": "12365882","PROFILE_EB_EDITOR_URL": "/editor","WEB_INF_RESOURCES_PATH": "WEB-INF/resources","AI_ABOUT_PAGE_URL": "/about-britannica-ai","TOPIC_ADDITIONAL_INFO_PATH": "/additional-info","SUDOKU_GAME_URL": "/games/sudoku","CC_INR": "INR","ARTICLE_PRINT_URL": "/print/article","FIRST_EDITION_URL": "/subscriber/firstedition","WW1_PORTAL_URL": "/discover/World-War-I","MENDEL_COOKIE": "__mendel","DEMYSTIFIED_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/demystified","LIST_BROWSE_URL": "/list/browse","PROFILE_EXPERT_URL": "/contributor","ASSEMBLY_IMAGE_URL": "/image/assembly","DAY_IN_HISTORY_URL": "/on-this-day","DEFAULT_CURRENCY": "USD","CONTENT_TYPE_XML": "text/xml;charset=UTF-8","PORTAL_FINANCE_BROWSE_URL_PREFIX": "/money/browse","MONEY_IMARS_CATEGORY": "13000","AJAX_PREFIX_URL": "/ajax","TOPIC_BROWSE_URL": "/topic-browse","MARKETING_CONTENT": "/marketing-content","ENV_RUNTIME": "runtime","GALLERY_URL": "/gallery","topicUrlClassesList": "topic|animal|art|biography|event|place|plant|science|sports|technology|procon","CONTENT_TYPE_HTML": "text/html;charset=UTF-8","ENV_LOCAL": "override","MEDIA_OVERLAY_URL": "/media-overlay","CHATBOT_PAGE_URL": "/chatbot","NEWSLETTER_PAGE_URL": "/newsletters","ENV_DEV": "development","MEDIA_URL": "/media","TOPIC_TOP_QUESTION_URL": "/question","PORTAL_FINANCE_URL_PREFIX": "/money","PODCASTS_URL": "/podcasts","STAND_ALONE_VIDEO_URL": "/video","MORE_ON_THIS_DAY_URL": "/more-on-this-day","TOPIC_QUOTES_URL": "/quotes","SEARCH_PAGE_URL": "/search","PROCON_CLASS": "PROCON","KUSTOM_MENDEL_APPLICATION_ID": "1","TOPIC_CONTENT_AJAX_URL": "/topic-content/topic","ENV_BRANCH": "branch","ERROR_URL": "/error","MAIN_VERSION": "mainVersion","DEFAULT_S3_REGION": "US_EAST_1","TOPIC_COLLECTION_URL": "/summary","LOGINBOX_URL": "/auth/loginbox","ONE_GOOD_FACT_BROWSE_URL": "/one-good-fact/all-good-facts","QUIZ_BROWSE_URL": "/quiz/browse","BIO_BROWSE_URL": "/browse/biographies","LIST_URL": "/list","TIGHTROPE_QUIZ_URL": "/quiz/tightrope","ALPHA_BROWSE_URL": "/sitemap","CONTENT_TYPE_JSON": "application/json","DICTIONARY_URL": "/dictionary","COBRAND_IMAGE_URL": "/image/cobrand","PROCON_IN_THE_NEWS_URL": "/procon/pro-and-con-issues-in-the-news","PROCON_BROWSE_URL": "/procon","QUIZ_BROWSE_VOCAB_QUIZZES": "vocabulary-quizzes","SUBMISSION_URL": "/submission","EB_LOG_OUT": "/auth2/logout","ENV_PRODUCTION": "production","EXPLORE_PORTAL_URL": "/explore","TOPIC_AJAX_URL": "/ajax/topic","TOPIC_SUMMARY_BROWSE_URL": "/summaries","WTFACT_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/wtfact","VIDEO_CHANNEL_URL": "/videos","GALLERY_BROWSE_URL": "/gallery/browse","CACHE_URL": "/cache","PROCON_ABOUT_URL": "/procon/About-ProCon","COMPANION_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/companion","MEDIA_FOLDER": "/eb-media","SHOW_ALL_CONTRIBUTORS": "/additional-info#contributors","BRITANNICA_EDITORS_ID": "4419","ENV_CACHE_DISABLED": "mendelCache","CALCULATORS_BROWSE_URL": "/calculators","STORY_URL": "/story","DEFAULT_COUNTRY": "US","NAVBAR_URL": "/ajax/navbar","EB_LOGIN_URL": "/auth/eb-login","NEW_ARTICLES_URL": "/new-articles",}; window.CDN = "https://cdn.britannica.com"; window.CAM_LOGIN_URL = "https://cam.britannica.com"; window.CAM_SIGN_UP_URL = "https://cam.britannica.com/registration" window.Mendel = { "config" : { "domain": "britannica.com", "page": "List", "videoPlayerId": "UyMCoK2v", "sharedUrl": "https://www.britannica.com/list/14-questions-about-government-in-the-united-states-answered", "amuselabsUrl": "https://cdn3.amuselabs.com", "resourcesPrefixUrl": "https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/[url]?v=3.130.14", "date": 20241124, "userInfo": { "type": "ANONYMOUS" ,"currency": "AUUS" ,"country": "SG" ,"state": "XX" ,"timezone": "Asia/Singapore" ,"bcomId": "-2642334017833295919" ,"hasAds": true ,"testVersion": "A" ,"adsTestVersion": "A" ,"consumerId": "" ,"instId": "" ,"consumerUserName": "" ,"instUserName": "" ,"cognito": null }, "tvs":{ "r":[25,25,25,25], "a": [25,25,25,25]}, "isLoggedInAsUser": false, "isPhone": false, "isDesktop": true, "logoutUrl": "/auth2/logout", "selfServiceUrl": "https://myaccount.britannica.com", "cdnUrl": "https://cdn.britannica.com", "chatbotApi": "https://www.britannica.com/chat-api", "fetchOffset": 800, "mendelCookieName": "__mendel", "mendelCookie": {"surveyShown":false,"visitedTopicId":0,"currentDate":20241124}, "autocompleteToSearchPage": false,"listId": 10285 ,"pagesInfo": [{"url":"14-questions-about-government-in-the-united-states-answered","title":"14 Questions About Government in the United States Answered"},{"url":"12-novels-considered-the-greatest-book-ever-written","title":"12 Novels Considered the “Greatest Book Ever Written”"},{"url":"10-famous-artworks-by-leonardo-da-vinci","title":"10 Famous Artworks by Leonardo da Vinci"},{"url":"secret-service-code-names-of-11-us-presidents","title":"Secret Service Code Names of 11 U.S. Presidents"},{"url":"americas-5-most-notorious-cold-cases-including-one-you-may-have-thought-was-already-solved","title":"America’s 5 Most Notorious Cold Cases (Including One You May Have Thought Was Already Solved)"},{"url":"8-philosophical-puzzles-and-paradoxes","title":"Brain Games: 8 Philosophical Puzzles and Paradoxes"},{"url":"11-egyptian-gods-and-goddesses","title":"11 Egyptian Gods and Goddesses"},{"url":"10-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time","title":"10 Greatest Baseball Players of All Time"},{"url":"9-things-you-might-not-know-about-adolf-hitler","title":"9 Things You Might Not Know About Adolf Hitler"},{"url":"7-winter-solstice-celebrations-from-around-the-world","title":"7 Winter Solstice Celebrations From Around the World"},{"url":"12-greek-gods-and-goddesses","title":"12 Greek Gods and Goddesses"}] }, "GA": {"leg":"A","adLeg":"A","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"List","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} }; </script> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="1887621861548296"/ <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@britannica" /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn.britannica.com/35/137235-131-D6F1442C/building-United-States-Supreme-Court-court-world-1935.jpg" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="This list provides answers to 14 key questions about government in the United States."/> <meta property="og:type" content="ARTICLE"/> <meta property="og:title" content="14 Questions About Government in the United States Answered | Britannica"/> <meta property="og:description" content="This list provides answers to 14 key questions about government in the United States."/> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Encyclopedia Britannica" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.britannica.com/list/14-questions-about-government-in-the-united-states-answered"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn.britannica.com/35/137235-131-D6F1442C/building-United-States-Supreme-Court-court-world-1935.jpg" /> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/jpeg" /> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="init opengraph"> Mendel.openGraph = {"type":"ARTICLE","title":"14 Questions About Government in the United States Answered","description":"This list provides answers to 14 key questions about government in the United States.","imageUrl":"https://cdn.britannica.com/35/137235-131-D6F1442C/building-United-States-Supreme-Court-court-world-1935.jpg","imageType":"image/jpeg","pageUrl":"https://www.britannica.com/list/14-questions-about-government-in-the-united-states-answered"}</script> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/"> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/" > <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/icon?family=Material+Icons"> <link href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/vendor-bundle.css?v=3.130.14" rel="stylesheet" /> <link href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/mendel-css.css?v=3.130.14" rel="stylesheet" /> <link href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/list-page.css?v=3.130.14" rel="stylesheet" /> <script type="text/javascript"> if (self !== top) { top.location = self.location; } // if ('scrollRestoration' in history) { history.scrollRestoration = 'manual'; } </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/js/at.js?v=3.130.14" async ></script> <script> dataLayer = []; </script> <script type="text/javascript">(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= '//www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-5W6NC8'); </script> </head> <body data-leg="A" class="list-page user-ANONYMOUS user-ads md-desktop leg-ab-ie">  <script>Mendel.config.adProvider='ay';</script> <script async src="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js"></script> <script> window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/15510053/CMP_1x1', [1, 1], 'div-gpt-ad-1709766812090-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); }); </script> <script async defer src="https://launchpad-wrapper.privacymanager.io/0ccc6fe8-1870-4ad8-b47b-6d029ac116fc/launchpad-liveramp.js"></script> <script async src="https://JRyhoywLYXNLYMAhs.ay.delivery/manager/JRyhoywLYXNLYMAhs" type="text/javascript" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" ></script><div class="ie-warning d-flex align-items-center align-self-center justify-content-center site-alert bg-orange"> <div> You are using an <strong>outdated</strong> browser. Please <a class="text-white text-underscore" href="https://browsehappy.com/">upgrade your browser</a> to improve your experience and security. </div> </div> <script id="json-navbar-info" type="application/json"> {"topSectionLinks":[{"title":"Ask the Chatbot","url":"/chatbot","navbarId":"CHATBOT"},{"title":"Games & Quizzes","url":"/quiz/browse","navbarId":"QUIZZES"},{"title":"ProCon","url":"/procon","navbarId":"PROCON"},{"title":"History & Society","url":"/History-Society","selected":true,"navbarId":"HISTORY"},{"title":"Science & Tech","url":"/Science-Tech","navbarId":"SCIENCE"},{"title":"Biographies","url":"/Biographies","navbarId":"BIOS"},{"title":"Animals & Nature","url":"/Animals-Nature","navbarId":"ANIMALS"},{"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/Geography-Travel","navbarId":"GEOGRAPHY"},{"title":"Arts & Culture","url":"/Arts-Culture","navbarId":"ART"},{"title":"Money","url":"/money","navbarId":"MONEY"},{"title":"Videos","url":"/videos","navbarId":"VIDEOS"}],"selectedSuperCategory":{"id":5,"title":"History & Society","url":"History-Society","description":"Explore history and society; accidents and disasters; the age of revolutions; the ancient world; historic dynasties; global exploration; the middle ages; the modern world; prehistory; US history; world history; wars and battles; sociology; religion and philosophy; humanities; ethics; anthropology; festivals and holidays; human rights; human migration; international relations; politics, law, and government","keywords":"accidents and disasters; the age of revolutions; the ancient world; historic dynasties; global exploration; the middle ages; the modern world; prehistory; US history; world history; wars and battles; sociology; religion and philosophy; humanities; ethics; anthropology; festivals and holidays; human rights; human migration; international relations; politics, law, and government","classId":"HISTORY","sortOrder":1},"selectedNavbarLink":{"title":"History & Society","url":"/History-Society","selected":true,"navbarId":"HISTORY"}} </script> <script id="json-hamburger-menu" type="application/json"> {"britannicaMenu1":[{"title":"Home","url":"/"},{"title":"ProCon","url":"/procon"},{"title":"History & Society","url":"/History-Society"},{"title":"Science & Tech","url":"/Science-Tech"},{"title":"Biographies","url":"/Biographies"},{"title":"Animals & Nature","url":"/Animals-Nature"},{"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/Geography-Travel"},{"title":"Arts & Culture","url":"/Arts-Culture"},{"title":"Money","url":"/money"}],"britannicaMenu2":[{"title":"Games & Quizzes","url":"/quiz/browse"},{"title":"Videos","url":"/videos"},{"title":"On This Day","url":"/on-this-day"},{"title":"One Good Fact","url":"/one-good-fact"},{"title":"Dictionary","url":"/dictionary"},{"title":"New Articles","url":"/new-articles"}],"browseByCategory":[{"title":{"id":5,"title":"History & Society","url":"/History-Society"},"links":[{"title":"Lifestyles & Social Issues","url":"/browse/Lifestyles-Social-Issues"},{"title":"Philosophy & Religion","url":"/browse/Philosophy-Religion"},{"title":"Politics, Law & Government","url":"/browse/Politics-Law-Government"},{"title":"World History","url":"/browse/World-History"}]},{"title":{"id":6,"title":"Science & Tech","url":"/Science-Tech"},"links":[{"title":"Health & Medicine","url":"/browse/Health-Medicine"},{"title":"Science","url":"/browse/Science"},{"title":"Technology","url":"/browse/Technology"}]},{"title":{"id":3,"title":"Biographies","url":"/Biographies"},"links":[{"title":"Browse Biographies","url":"/browse/biographies"}]},{"title":{"id":1,"title":"Animals & Nature","url":"/Animals-Nature"},"links":[{"title":"Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates","url":"/browse/Birds-Reptiles-Vertebrates"},{"title":"Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates","url":"/browse/Bugs-Mollusks-Invertebrates"},{"title":"Environment","url":"/browse/Environment"},{"title":"Fossils & Geologic Time","url":"/browse/Fossil-Geologic-Time"},{"title":"Mammals","url":"/browse/Mammals"},{"title":"Plants","url":"/browse/Plants"}]},{"title":{"id":4,"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/Geography-Travel"},"links":[{"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/browse/Geography-Travel"}]},{"title":{"id":2,"title":"Arts & Culture","url":"/Arts-Culture"},"links":[{"title":"Entertainment & Pop Culture","url":"/browse/Entertainment-Pop-Culture"},{"title":"Literature","url":"/browse/Literature"},{"title":"Sports & Recreation","url":"/browse/Sports-Recreation"},{"title":"Visual Arts","url":"/browse/Visual-Arts"}]}],"browseByFeature":[{"title":"Companions","url":"/stories/companion"},{"title":"Demystified","url":"/stories/demystified"},{"title":"Image Galleries","url":"/gallery/browse"},{"title":"Lists","url":"/list/browse"},{"title":"Podcasts","url":"/podcasts"},{"title":"Spotlight","url":"/stories/spotlight"},{"title":"Summaries","url":"/summary"},{"title":"The Forum","url":"/stories/the-forum"},{"title":"Top Questions","url":"/question"},{"title":"#WTFact","url":"/stories/wtfact"}],"moreFromBritannica":[{"title":"Britannica Kids","url":"https://kids.britannica.com/","newTab":true}],"menuType":"DEFAULT"} </script> <header id="header" class="bg-navy-dark"> <div class="global-nav-top-bar"> <div class="grid gx-0 h-100 justify-content-between align-items-center container-lg mx-auto p-0 position-relative"> <div class="d-flex align-items-center"> <button class="d-flex align-items-center justify-self-start js-toggle js-toggle-hamburger btn btn-link link-white btn-sm rounded-0 p-10"> <div class="hamburger-tooltip"> <em class="material-icons d-inline-block font-24" id="nav-toggle" data-icon="menu"></em> </div> <em class="material-icons d-inline-block font-24 global-nav-search-icon" id="nav-search-icon" data-icon="search" ></em> </button> <a href="/" class="d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center ml-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png" alt="Encyclopedia Britannica" class="global-nav-logo global-nav-logo-left" /> </a> <div class="global-nav-top-search-bar global-nav-top-search-container global-nav-search-container" id="global-nav-top-search-bar"> <form method="get" action="/search" id="global-nav-search" class="md-search-form m-0 global-nav-search-bar-small"> <div class="search-box position-relative col-100"> <label class="sr-only" for="global-nav-search-query">Search Britannica</label> <input name="query" id="global-nav-search-query" placeholder="Search Britannica..." class="form-control form-control-lg rounded-lg font-16 search-query pl-20 pr-70 shadow-sm" maxlength="200" autocomplete="off" aria-label="Search Britannica" /> <button class="search-reset-btn btn btn-link px-10 position-absolute top-0 h-100 d-none" type="reset"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="close"></em> </button> <button class="search-submit btn btn-link text-blue px-10 position-absolute top-0 right-0 h-100" type="submit" disabled> <span class="sr-only">Click here to search</span> <em class="material-icons search-icon" data-icon="search"></em> </button> </div> </form> </div> </div> <a href="/" class="d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png" alt="Encyclopedia Britannica" class="global-nav-center global-nav-logo non-homepage-logo" /> </a> <form method="get" action="/search" id="global-nav-search" class="md-search-form m-0 global-nav-search-bar-small global-nav-center search global-nav-center-search-container"> <div class="search-box position-relative col-100"> <label class="sr-only" for="global-nav-search-query">Search Britannica</label> <input name="query" id="global-nav-search-query" placeholder="Search Britannica..." class="form-control form-control-lg rounded-lg font-16 search-query pl-20 pr-70 shadow-sm" maxlength="200" autocomplete="off" aria-label="Search Britannica" /> <button class="search-reset-btn btn btn-link px-10 position-absolute top-0 h-100 d-none" type="reset"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="close"></em> </button> <button class="search-submit btn btn-link text-blue px-10 position-absolute top-0 right-0 h-100" type="submit" disabled> <span class="sr-only">Click here to search</span> <em class="material-icons search-icon" data-icon="search"></em> </button> </div> </form> <div class="col-35 col-sm-auto text-right order-3 mr-lg-15 align-items-center d-flex justify-content-end"> <div class="d-none d-md-inline-block"> <SPAN class="marketing-HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_DESKTOP2 marketing-content" data-marketing-id="HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_DESKTOP2"><a href="https://subscription.britannica.com/subscribe?partnerCode=BP_Black_Friday_AUUS" class="subscribe-link btn btn-sm btn-outline-white-orange py-5 mr-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Subscribe </a></SPAN></div> <div class="d-inline-block d-md-none mr-5 mr-sm-10"> <SPAN class="marketing-HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_MOBILE marketing-content" data-marketing-id="HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_MOBILE"><a href="https://subscription.britannica.com/subscribe?partnerCode=BP_Black_Friday_AUUS" class="subscribe-link btn btn-xs btn-orange-dark p-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Subscribe </a></SPAN></div> <button class="js-toggle-user-dropdown js-toggle btn btn-sm btn-link link-white rounded-0 px-md-15 pl-5 pr-5"> <span class="d-none d-md-inline-block mr-5">Login</span> <em class="material-icons d-inline-block d-md-none font-16 font-sm-20" data-icon="account_circle"></em> <div class="d-none dropdown-menu-subscription-link">https://subscription.britannica.com/subscribe?partnerCode=BP_Black_Friday_AUUS</div> <em class="material-icons inactive-icon d-inline-block font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_down"></em> <em class="material-icons active-icon d-inline-block font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_up"></em> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div class="d-none hamburger-menu-subscription-link"><DIV class="marketing-HAMBURGER_MENU_CTA marketing-content" data-marketing-id="HAMBURGER_MENU_CTA"><a href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=hamburger-menu&utm_campaign=black-friday-2024" class="subscribe-link btn btn-sm btn-orange py-5" target="_blank"> Subscribe <span class="d-none d-md-inline"> Now</span> </a></DIV></div> <div id="global-nav-react"> <div class="d-none"> <ul> <li><a href="/">Home</a></li> <li><a href="/procon">ProCon</a></li> <li><a href="/History-Society">History & Society</a></li> <li><a href="/Science-Tech">Science & Tech</a></li> <li><a href="/Biographies">Biographies</a></li> <li><a href="/Animals-Nature">Animals & Nature</a></li> <li><a href="/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a></li> <li><a href="/Arts-Culture">Arts & Culture</a></li> <li><a href="/money">Money</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/quiz/browse">Games & Quizzes</a></li> <li><a href="/videos">Videos</a></li> <li><a href="/on-this-day">On This Day</a></li> <li><a href="/one-good-fact">One Good Fact</a></li> <li><a href="/dictionary">Dictionary</a></li> <li><a href="/new-articles">New Articles</a></li> </ul> <a href="/History-Society">History & Society</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Lifestyles-Social-Issues">Lifestyles & Social Issues</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Philosophy-Religion">Philosophy & Religion</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Politics-Law-Government">Politics, Law & Government</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/World-History">World History</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Science-Tech">Science & Tech</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Health-Medicine">Health & Medicine</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Science">Science</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Technology">Technology</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Biographies">Biographies</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/biographies">Browse Biographies</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Animals-Nature">Animals & Nature</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Birds-Reptiles-Vertebrates">Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Bugs-Mollusks-Invertebrates">Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Environment">Environment</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Fossil-Geologic-Time">Fossils & Geologic Time</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Mammals">Mammals</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Plants">Plants</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Arts-Culture">Arts & Culture</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Entertainment-Pop-Culture">Entertainment & Pop Culture</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Literature">Literature</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Sports-Recreation">Sports & Recreation</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Visual-Arts">Visual Arts</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/stories/companion">Companions</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/demystified">Demystified</a></li> <li><a href="/gallery/browse">Image Galleries</a></li> <li><a href="/list/browse">Lists</a></li> <li><a href="/podcasts">Podcasts</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/spotlight">Spotlight</a></li> <li><a href="/summary">Summaries</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/the-forum">The Forum</a></li> <li><a href="/question">Top Questions</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/wtfact">#WTFact</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="https://kids.britannica.com/">Britannica Kids</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </header> <div class="bg-navy-dark"> <div class="container-lg p-0 d-flex justify-content-center global-nav-categories-bar overflow-hidden"> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 global-nav-slider category-snap-slider"> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex font-14 overflow-hidden text-nowrap mx-5"> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-CHATBOT " href="/chatbot">Ask the Chatbot</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-QUIZZES " href="/quiz/browse">Games & Quizzes</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-PROCON " href="/procon">ProCon</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-HISTORY selected selected" href="/History-Society">History & Society</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-SCIENCE " href="/Science-Tech">Science & Tech</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-BIOS " href="/Biographies">Biographies</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-ANIMALS " href="/Animals-Nature">Animals & Nature</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-GEOGRAPHY " href="/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-ART " href="/Arts-Culture">Arts & Culture</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-MONEY " href="/money">Money</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-VIDEOS " href="/videos">Videos</a> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <main> <div class="md-page-wrapper"> <div id="content" class="md-content"> <script type="application/ld+json"> {"headline":"14 Questions About Government in the United States Answered","image":{"url":"https://cdn.britannica.com/35/137235-131-D6F1442C/building-United-States-Supreme-Court-court-world-1935.jpg","@type":"ImageObject"},"author":[],"keywords":"14 Questions About Government in the United States Answered","url":"https://www.britannica.com/list/14-questions-about-government-in-the-united-states-answered","description":"This list provides answers to 14 key questions about government in the United States.","publisher":{"name":"Encyclopedia Britannica","@type":"Organization","logo":{"url":"https://corporate.britannica.com/wp-content/themes/eb-corporate/_img/logo.png","@type":"ImageObject"}},"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"article"} </script> <div class="list-content"> <div class="md-article-container list-container qa-content" data-feature-id="10285"> <div class="feature-container container-lg p-0 pb-40 p-md-20"> <aside class="d-none d-lg-block feature-left-rail p-20 pb-60 clear-catfish-ad"> <div class="feature-section"> <div class="label mb-15 font-serif">Discover</div> <div class="mobile-carousel-items"> <ul class="pl-0 lr-image-list font-14 m-0 mb-30 d-flex flex-md-column slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden discover"> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/quiz/the-united-states-fact-or-fiction" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/78/153978-131-38E90EE3/constitution-rules-state-country-body-organization-law.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="United State Constitution lying on the United State flag set-up shot (We the People, democracy, stars and stripes)." /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/quiz/the-united-states-fact-or-fiction">The United States: Fact or Fiction?</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/quiz/guess-the-us-state-by-its-neighbors" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/39/256439-131-2C8F19B3/map-United-States-flag-background.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="Extruded map of the United States of America with states borders on national flag background. (3-d rendering)" /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/quiz/guess-the-us-state-by-its-neighbors">Guess the U.S. State by Its Neighbors</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/quiz/guess-the-rotated-us-state-quiz" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/88/248088-131-9D82AD9C/Michigan-map-quizzes.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="Michigan map rotated for use in quizzes" /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/quiz/guess-the-rotated-us-state-quiz">Guess the Rotated U.S. State Quiz</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/quiz/history-fact-or-fiction" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/28/153528-131-208CEA18/Xian-Terra-cotta-soldiers-tomb-Qin-China-Shaanxi.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="Close-up of terracotta Soldiers in trenches, Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China" /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/quiz/history-fact-or-fiction">History: Fact or Fiction?</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/quiz/us-history-highlights-part-two" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/35/137235-131-D6F1442C/building-United-States-Supreme-Court-court-world-1935.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="The United States Supreme Court building, Washington, D.C." /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/quiz/us-history-highlights-part-two">U.S. History Highlights: Part Two</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/quiz/us-presidential-nicknames" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/44/164744-131-7A6008A3/Richard-M-Nixon-campaign-stop-crowd-gesture-1968.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="Richard M. Nixon. Richard Nixon during a 1968 campaign stop. President Nixon" /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/quiz/us-presidential-nicknames">U.S. Presidential Nicknames</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/story/what-is-the-emoluments-clause" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/51/145151-131-DA4315F9/Bill-of-Rights-Day-amendments-United-States.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="Amendments 1-10 to the Constitution of the United States constitute what is known as the Bill of Rights on an American flag." /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/story/what-is-the-emoluments-clause">What Is the Emoluments Clause?</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/list/11-egyptian-gods-and-goddesses" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/52/196952-131-0665E4EE/Egyptians-hieroglyphics-carvings.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="An ancient egyptian hieroglyphic painted carving showing the falcon headed god Horus seated on a throne and holding a golden fly whisk. Before him are the Pharoah Seti and the goddess Isis. Interior wall of the temple to Osiris at Abydos, Egypt." /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/list/11-egyptian-gods-and-goddesses">11 Egyptian Gods and Goddesses</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/story/why-is-thanksgiving-in-the-us-celebrated-on-a-thursday" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/06/212906-131-C791368A/Thanksgiving-celebration-food-table-spread.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="Thanksgiving Celebration Traditional Dinner Setting Food Concept" /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/story/why-is-thanksgiving-in-the-us-celebrated-on-a-thursday">Why Is Thanksgiving in the U.S. Celebrated on a Thursday?</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/list/9-things-you-might-not-know-about-adolf-hitler" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/58/156058-131-22083D0A/Adolf-Hitler.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="Adolf Hitler (Nazi, nazism, German leader)." /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/list/9-things-you-might-not-know-about-adolf-hitler">9 Things You Might Not Know About Adolf Hitler</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/story/why-is-ireland-two-countries" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/43/148643-131-2B2237A6/example-landscape-Irish-Ireland-Sligo.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="Rural Irish landscape, Sligo, Ireland." /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/story/why-is-ireland-two-countries">Why Is Ireland Two Countries?</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/list/12-novels-considered-the-greatest-book-ever-written" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/55/142355-131-EFF621AF/books-Stack-literature-pile-reading-entertainment-society-2010.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="Close up of books. Stack of books, pile of books, literature, reading. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society" /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/list/12-novels-considered-the-greatest-book-ever-written">12 Novels Considered the “Greatest Book Ever Written”</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/story/pro-and-con-school-uniforms" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/35/230835-131-63152980/School-children-wearing-school-uniforms.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="Diverse elementary school children wearing school uniforms running outside of school. Boys girls" /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/story/pro-and-con-school-uniforms">Pro and Con: School Uniforms</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/list/7-winter-solstice-celebrations-from-around-the-world" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/172532-131-F613580B/girl-wreath-Day-head-St-Lucia-family.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="Saint Lucia Day. Young girl wears Lucia crown (tinsel halo) with candles. Holds Saint Lucia Day currant laced saffron buns (lussekatter or Lucia's cats). Observed December 13 honor virgin martyr Santa Lucia (St. Lucy). Luciadagen, Christmas, Sweden" /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/list/7-winter-solstice-celebrations-from-around-the-world">7 Winter Solstice Celebrations From Around the World</a> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </aside> <div class="reading-channel list-type-REGULAR"> <div class="grey-box w-100 grey-box-middle"> <div class="grey-box-content mx-auto w-100"> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "ListItem", "position" : 1, "item" : { "@id" : "https://www.britannica.com/list/browse", "name": "List" } } , { "@type" : "ListItem", "position" : 2, "item" : { "@id" : "https://www.britannica.com/list/browse/Politics-Law-Government", "name": "Politics, Law & Government" } } ] } </script> <nav class="breadcrumb mt-20 mb-30"> <span class="breadcrumb-item "> <a href="/" class="link-gray-600">Home</a> </span> <span class="breadcrumb-item "> <a class="link-gray-600" href="/list/browse">List</a> </span> <span class="breadcrumb-item "> <a class="link-gray-600" href="/list/browse/Politics-Law-Government">Politics, Law & Government</a> </span> </nav> <div class="mb-5"> <a class="HISTORY font-weight-semi-bold super-category-badge rounded font-14" href="/History-Society"> History & Society </a> </div> <div> <div class="d-block d-md-none md-feature-tools float-right mb-15" style="right:20px" data-feature-id="10285"> <button class="js-tooltip-actions ml-10 btn btn-xs btn-outline-blue border shadow-sm pr-10" > <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="more_vert"></em> Actions </button> <div class="md-actions-popover popover popover-sm py-5 px-0 dropdown-menu"> <div> <button class="js-modal qa-cite-modal-button btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool " data-modal="[data-feature-id=10285] .sm-cite-modal"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="verified"></em> Cite </button> <div class="sm-cite-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif d-flex align-items-center pb-15 border-bottom mb-15"> <em class="material-icons text-blue mr-10">verified</em>Cite </div> <div class="font-serif"> While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. </div> <div class="label mt-20 mb-10">Select Citation Style</div> <select class="js-citation-format-select form-select"> <option selected value="mla">MLA</option> <option value="apa">APA</option> <option value="chicago">Chicago Manual of Style</option> </select> <div class="citation font-serif border rounded p-15 mt-20" data-authors="" data-title="14 Questions About Government in the United States Answered" data-published-date="12 Oct. 2023" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/list/14-questions-about-government-in-the-united-states-answered" > <div class="citation-text"></div> </div> <button class="js-copy-citation-button mt-20 btn btn-xs btn-outline-blue border shadow-sm pr-10" > <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="file_copy"></em> <span class="js-citation-status-text">Copy Citation</span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div> <button class="js-share-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool " data-modal="[data-feature-id=10285] .md-share-modal"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="share"></em> Share </button> <div class="md-share-modal size-lg d-none qa-share-modal"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif d-flex align-items-center pb-15 border-bottom"> <em class="material-icons text-blue mr-10" data-icon="share"></em> Share </div> <div class="label my-20">Share to social media</div> <div class="md-social-toolbar-circle d-flex align-items-start inverted" data-value="share" title="14 Questions About Government in the United States Answered" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/list/14-questions-about-government-in-the-united-states-answered" > <a class="social-icon facebook justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>Facebook</span></a> <a class="social-icon x justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="x" href="https://x.com/britannica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>X</span></a> </div> <div class="label pt-20 mt-20 mb-5 border-top">URL</div> <a class="font-serif text-truncate d-inline-block" href="https://www.britannica.com/list/14-questions-about-government-in-the-united-states-answered">https://www.britannica.com/list/14-questions-about-government-in-the-united-states-answered</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h1 class="content-title mb-5">14 Questions About Government in the United States Answered</h1> <div class="d-none d-md-flex my-15"> <div class="mr-5"> <a href="javascript:window.print()" class=" btn btn-xs btn-outline-blue border shadow-sm pr-10" > <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="print"></em> Print </a> </div> <div class="mr-5"> <button class="js-modal qa-cite-modal-button gtm-topic-tool btn btn-xs btn-outline-blue border shadow-sm pr-10" data-modal="[data-feature-id=10285] .md-cite-modal"> <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="verified"></em> Cite </button> <div class="md-cite-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif d-flex align-items-center pb-15 border-bottom mb-15"> <em class="material-icons text-blue mr-10">verified</em>Cite </div> <div class="font-serif"> While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. </div> <div class="label mt-20 mb-10">Select Citation Style</div> <select class="js-citation-format-select form-select"> <option selected value="mla">MLA</option> <option value="apa">APA</option> <option value="chicago">Chicago Manual of Style</option> </select> <div class="citation font-serif border rounded p-15 mt-20" data-authors="" data-title="14 Questions About Government in the United States Answered" data-published-date="12 Oct. 2023" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/list/14-questions-about-government-in-the-united-states-answered" > <div class="citation-text"></div> </div> <button class="js-copy-citation-button mt-20 btn btn-xs btn-outline-blue border shadow-sm pr-10" > <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="file_copy"></em> <span class="js-citation-status-text">Copy Citation</span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div> <button class="js-share-modal-button js-modal gtm-topic-tool btn btn-xs btn-outline-blue border shadow-sm pr-10" data-modal=".md-share-modal"> <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="share"></em> Share </button> <div class="md-share-modal size-lg d-none qa-share-modal"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif d-flex align-items-center pb-15 border-bottom"> <em class="material-icons text-blue mr-10" data-icon="share"></em> Share </div> <div class="label my-20">Share to social media</div> <div class="md-social-toolbar-circle d-flex align-items-start inverted" data-value="share" title="14 Questions About Government in the United States Answered" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/list/14-questions-about-government-in-the-united-states-answered" > <a class="social-icon facebook justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>Facebook</span></a> <a class="social-icon x justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="x" href="https://x.com/britannica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>X</span></a> </div> <div class="label pt-20 mt-20 mb-5 border-top">URL</div> <a class="font-serif text-truncate d-inline-block" href="https://www.britannica.com/list/14-questions-about-government-in-the-united-states-answered">https://www.britannica.com/list/14-questions-about-government-in-the-united-states-answered</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <article class="topic-content content"><div class="topic-paragraph font-serif md-list-intro pt-15 pb-20"><figure class="md-assembly md-feature-assembly print-false" data-type="1" data-descid="1"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/35/137235-131-D6F1442C/building-United-States-Supreme-Court-court-world-1935.jpg" target="_blank" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center " data-href="*0"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/35/137235-131-D6F1442C/building-United-States-Supreme-Court-court-world-1935.jpg?w=1000" alt="The United States Supreme Court building, Washington, D.C." data-width="900" data-height="675" loading="eager"><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class=""><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif "><span></span></div><cite class="credit d-block mt-5">© VanHart/Shutterstock.com</cite></figcaption></figure> <p class="topic-paragraph">The people of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">United States</a> live under a variety of governments—the federal government, state governments, and local governments—all with their own powers and responsibilities. This list answers 14 questions about how these governments work. </p><span class="MOD1"></span> <p class="topic-paragraph"><em>Earlier versions of these questions and answers first appeared in the second edition of </em>The Handy Answer Book for Kids (and Parents)<em> by Gina Misiroglu (2010).</em></p><span class="MOD2"></span> </div><ul class="list-unstyled md-mendel-list"><li><h2>Why is the U.S. Census important to governments?</h2><div><p class="topic-paragraph">The United States government carries out a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/census" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">census</a> every ten years, as is set forth in Article 1 of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Constitution-of-the-United-States-of-America" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">U.S. Constitution</a>. The census survey asks questions about people in the United States. The survey gathers information about how many people are in a household, how old they are, and how they self-identify their gender, race, and ethnicity. In 1790 the first census counted 4 million people living in the United States. <a class="external" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?q=United%20States&g=0100000US" data-show-preview="true">According to the 2020 census</a>, there are more than 331 million.</p><span class="MOD3"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The census count tells a state how many people it can send to represent it in the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Congress-of-the-United-States" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">U.S. Congress</a>, which includes both the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Senate-United-States-government" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Senate</a> and the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/House-of-Representatives-United-States-government" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">House of Representatives</a>. Every state sends two people to the Senate. But the House of Representatives is different—the number of people a state sends to the House is based on that state’s population. <a class="external" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/2021/dec/2020-apportionment-map.html" data-show-preview="true">According to the 2020 census</a>, the state with the smallest population is <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Wyoming-state" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Wyoming</a>, while the state with the largest population is <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/California-state" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">California</a>. Wyoming can send only one person to the House of Representatives, but California can send 52 people to the House.</p><span class="MOD4"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The census also provides information about everyday things, so that the government can tell which states and regions of the country need improvements. If a town has more children living in it than it had ten years ago (when the last census count was taken), this might be a good place to build another school. Or, if workers in a city are spending too much time getting to work, this might be a good place to build more roads or increase <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/mass-transit" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">public transportation</a>, including subways and buses.</p><span class="MOD5"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The census, in other words, provides the data on which government—whose focus is the people of the United States—and its potential activity are built.</p><span class="MOD6"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-1"></span></li><li><h2>What does government in the United States do?</h2><div><p class="topic-paragraph">Government in the United States is the institution that creates and enforces <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/policy-government" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">public policies</a>. Public policies are all the things that the government, at all levels, decides to do, such as impose an <a href="https://www.britannica.com/money/income-tax" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">income tax</a>, service its <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/armed-force" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">armed forces</a>, protect and manage the environment, and hold businesses to certain standards. In the democratic United States, voters elect people to government to represent them. Those who exercise the powers of the government include <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/legislature" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">legislators</a>, who make laws; <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/executive-government" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">executives</a> and administrators, who administer and enforce those laws; and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/judiciary" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">judges</a>, who interpret the law. Each year, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Congress-of-the-United-States" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Congress</a> enacts about 500 laws, and state legislators enact about 25,000 laws. Local governments enact thousands and thousands of ordinances, or city laws.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-2"></span></li><li><h2>What is the U.S. federal government?</h2><div><p class="topic-paragraph">The U.S. federal government is the national government of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">United States of America</a>. It includes the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/executive-government" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">executive</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/legislature" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">legislative</a>, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/judiciary" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">judicial</a> branches. The executive branch is responsible for enforcing the laws of the United States. Its main components include the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/presidency-of-the-United-States-of-America" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">president</a>, the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/vice-president-of-the-United-States-of-America" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">vice president</a>, and government departments and agencies. The president is the leader of the country and commander in chief of the armed forces; the vice president is the president of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Senate-United-States-government" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Senate</a> and the first in line for the presidency should the president be unable to serve; the departments and their heads (called <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/cabinet-government" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Cabinet</a> members) advise the president on decisions that affect the country; and agencies help carry out the president’s policies and provide special services. The legislative branch is the lawmaking branch of the federal government. It is made up of a bicameral (or two-chamber) <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Congress-of-the-United-States" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Congress</a>: the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Senate-United-States-government" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Senate</a> and the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/House-of-Representatives-United-States-government" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">House of Representatives</a>. The judicial branch, made up of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Supreme-Court-of-the-United-States" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Supreme Court</a> and other federal courts, is responsible for interpreting the meaning of laws, how they are applied, and whether or not they violate the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Constitution-of-the-United-States-of-America" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Constitution</a>.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-3"></span></li><li><h2>What does the president of the United States do?</h2><div><p class="topic-paragraph">The chief duty of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/presidency-of-the-United-States-of-America" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">president of the United States</a> is to protect the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Constitution-of-the-United-States-of-America" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Constitution</a> and enforce the laws made by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Congress-of-the-United-States" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Congress</a>. However, the president also has a host of other responsibilities tied to this job description. They include: recommending legislation (laws) to Congress, calling special sessions of Congress, delivering messages to Congress, signing or <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/veto" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">vetoing</a> legislation, nominating federal judges, appointing heads of federal departments and agencies and other principal federal officials, appointing representatives to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/international-relations" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">foreign countries</a>, carrying on official business with foreign nations, acting as commander in chief of the armed forces, and granting <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/pardon" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">pardons</a> for offenses against the United States.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-4"></span></li><li><h2>What is the difference between a U.S. senator and a U.S. representative?</h2><div><p class="topic-paragraph">The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Congress-of-the-United-States" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">U.S. Congress</a> consists of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Senate-United-States-government" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Senate</a> and the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/House-of-Representatives-United-States-government" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">House of Representatives</a>. Both senators and representatives are responsible for representing the people of the states who elect them. This involves voting on and writing bills in the U.S. Congress. There are, however, some major differences between a U.S. senator and a representative. While both senators and representatives are permitted to introduce bills, senators are restricted from introducing bills that raise revenue, such as tax bills. There are 100 senators in Congress; two senators are allotted for each state. This number is independent of each state’s population. However, the number of U.S. representatives a state has is determined by the population of that particular state. There are 435 representatives in Congress, and each state has at least one representative. Another difference involves the length of time a senator and a representative are permitted to serve. A senator represents their state for a six-year term. A representative, on the other hand, serves for a two-year term.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-5"></span></li><li><h2>How is state government organized?</h2><div><p class="topic-paragraph">Like the U.S. federal government, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/state-government" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">state governments</a> have three branches: the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/executive-government" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">executive</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/legislature" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">legislative</a>, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/judicial-branch" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">judicial</a>. Each branch functions and works a lot like the corresponding branch at the federal level. The chief executive of a state is the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/governor-government-official" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">governor</a>, who is elected by popular vote, typically (with notable exceptions) for a four-year term. Except for Nebraska, which has a single legislative body, all states have a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/bicameral-system" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">bicameral</a> (two-house) legislature, with the upper house usually called the Senate and the lower house called the House of Representatives, the House of Delegates, or the General Assembly. The sizes of these two legislatures vary. Typically, the upper house is made up of between 30 and 50 members; the lower house is made up of between 100 and 150 members.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-6"></span></li><li><h2>What is a governor’s job?</h2><div><p class="topic-paragraph">A <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/governor-government-official" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">governor</a> of a U.S. state is responsible for the well-being of their state. The details of this job include many hands-on tasks and leadership duties. The governor’s executive powers include the appointment and removal of state officials, the supervision of executive branch staff, the formulation of the state budget, and the leadership of the state militia as its commander in chief. Law-making powers include the power to recommend <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/legislation-politics" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">legislation</a>, to call special sessions of the legislature, and to veto measures passed by the legislature. In more than 40 states, governors have the power to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/veto" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">veto</a> (or reject) several parts of a bill without rejecting it altogether. The governor can also <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/pardon" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">pardon</a> (excuse) a criminal or reduce a criminal’s sentence.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-7"></span></li><li><h2>What does a mayor do?</h2><div><p class="topic-paragraph">The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/council-manager-system" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">mayor-council</a> is the oldest form of city government in the United States. Its structure is similar to that of the state and federal governments, with an elected <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/mayor" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">mayor</a> as chief of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/executive-government" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">executive</a> branch and an elected <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/city-council" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">council</a> that represents the various neighborhoods, forming the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/legislature" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">legislative</a> branch. The mayor usually appoints heads of city departments and other officials. The mayor also has the power to veto the laws of the city (called ordinances), and prepares the city’s budget. The council passes city laws, sets the tax rates on property, and decides how the city departments spend their money.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-8"></span></li><li><h2>What is a town meeting?</h2><div><p class="topic-paragraph">The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/town-meeting" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">town meeting</a> is one aspect of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/local-government" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">local government</a> that still exists today, after having been created in the early years of the United States. At least once a year the registered voters of the town meet in open session to elect officers, debate local issues, and pass laws for operating a government. As a group, or body, they decide on road construction and repair, construction of public buildings and facilities (such as libraries and parks), tax rates, and the town budget. Having existed for more than two centuries, the town meeting is often called the purest form of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/direct-democracy" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">direct democracy</a> because governmental power is not delegated but instead exercised directly by the people. However, town meetings cannot be found in every area of the United States. They are mostly conducted in the small towns of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/New-England" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">New England</a>, where the first colonies were established.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-9"></span></li><li><h2>What is the Bill of Rights?</h2><div><p class="topic-paragraph">The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bill-of-Rights-United-States-Constitution" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Bill of Rights</a> is made up of the first 10 <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/amendment" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">amendments</a> to the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Constitution-of-the-United-States-of-America" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">U.S. Constitution</a>. The Bill of Rights guarantees rights and liberties to the American people. These amendments were proposed by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Congress-of-the-United-States" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Congress</a> in 1789, and ratified (approved) by three-fourths of the states on December 15, 1791, thereby officially becoming part of the Constitution. The first eight amendments outline many individual rights, while the Ninth and Tenth Amendments are general rules of interpretation of the relationship among the people, the state governments, and the federal government.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-10"></span></li><li><h2>How does the Bill of Rights protect individual liberties?</h2><div><p class="topic-paragraph">The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bill-of-Rights-United-States-Constitution" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Bill of Rights</a> limits the ability of the government to intrude upon certain <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/liberty-human-rights" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">individual liberties</a>, guaranteeing freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion to the people of the United States. Nearly two-thirds of the Bill of Rights was written to safeguard the rights of those suspected or accused of a crime, providing for <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/due-process" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">due process</a> of law, fair trials, freedom from self-incrimination and from cruel and unusual punishment, and protection against being tried twice in court for the same crime. Since the adoption of the Bill of Rights, 17 additional <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/amendment" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">amendments</a> have been added to the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Constitution-of-the-United-States-of-America" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Constitution</a>. While a number of these amendments revised how the federal government is structured and operates, many expanded individual rights and freedoms.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-11"></span></li><li><h2>What happens when a person breaks the law?</h2><div><p class="topic-paragraph"><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/law" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Laws</a> are enforced by the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/court-law" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">courts</a> and the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/judiciary" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">judicial system</a>. If someone breaks a law or a business or organization does something illegal, they go to the judicial branch of government for review of their actions. The judicial branch is made up of different courts. The court leader, or <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/judge-law" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">judge</a>, interprets the meaning of laws, how they are applied, and whether they break the rules of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Constitution-of-the-United-States-of-America" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Constitution</a>. If a person or group is found guilty of breaking a law, the judicial system decides how they should be punished.</p><span class="MOD7"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">In the United States, laws have been written to protect the rights of someone accused of committing a crime. That person is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Someone suspected of a crime is usually arrested and taken into custody by a police officer. Sometimes, the case is presented before a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/grand-jury" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">grand jury</a> (a group of citizens who examines the accusations made). The grand jury files an <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/indictment" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">indictment</a>, or a formal charge, if there appears to be enough evidence for a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/trial-law" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">trial</a>. In many criminal cases, however, there is no grand jury. While awaiting trial, the accused may be temporarily released, sometimes on <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/bail-law" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">bail</a> (which is the amount of money meant to guarantee that the person will return for trial instead of leaving the country), or kept in a local jail. Trials are usually held before a judge and a jury of 12 citizens. The government presents its case against an accused person, or defendant, through a district attorney, and another attorney defends the accused. If the defendant is judged innocent, they are released. If they are found guilty of committing a crime, the judge decides the punishment or sentence, using established guidelines. The convicted person may be forced to pay a fine, pay damages, or go to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/prison" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">prison</a>.</p><span class="MOD8"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-12"></span></li><li><h2>What is citizenship in the United States?</h2><div><p class="topic-paragraph"><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/citizenship" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Citizens</a> of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">United States</a> enjoy all of the freedoms, protections, and legal rights that the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Constitution-of-the-United-States-of-America" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Constitution</a> promises. However, living in the United States doesn’t automatically make a person an American citizen. People born in the United States or born to U.S. citizens in foreign countries are granted citizenship in the United States. Persons born in other countries who want to become citizens must apply for and pass a citizenship test. Those who become citizens in this way are called <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/naturalization" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">naturalized</a> citizens.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-13"></span></li><li><h2>Why is it important to vote?</h2><div><p class="topic-paragraph"><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/republic-government" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Republics</a> such as the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">United States</a> are based upon a voting population. If the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/citizenship" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">citizens</a> of the country do not vote, then politicians do not necessarily need to heed their interests. It is necessary for the people of a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/democracy" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">democratic</a> country to constitutionally voice their opinions, and they do this by voting for their city, state, and country’s leaders and on issues and initiatives presented to them in elections.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-14"></span></li></ul><span class="AM-END-OF-ARTICLE am-inline"></span></article> </div> </div> </div> <aside class="cm-rightrail d-none d-md-block ad-rail"></aside> </div> </div> </div> <div class="grid gx-0"> <div class="col"> <div class="md-loading hidden display-4 font-weight-normal"></div> <div class="text-center my-20 mb-100"> <button class="md-infinite-load-next btn btn-blue" data-value="next-page">Load More</button> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-da-320 hidden-xs"> </div> </div></div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script type="text/javascript" id="_informizely_script_tag"> var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; (function (d) { var scriptElement = d.createElement('script'); scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; scriptElement.src = "https://insitez.blob.core.windows.net/site/f780f33e-a610-4ac2-af81-3eb184037547.js"; var node = d.getElementById('_informizely_script_tag'); node.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, node); } )(document); </script>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"List","templateName":null,"pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":11,"pageId":10285,"pageLength":null,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.130.14"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/list-page.js?v=3.130.14' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"A","adLeg":"A","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"List","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":null,"gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

14 Questions About Government in the United States Answered | Britannica