The United States government was established by the U.S. Constitution, which was ratified in 1787. The Constitution set forth a system of governance that balances power between three distinct branches of government—executive, legislative, and judicial—each designed to limit the power of the others and prevent any one group from becoming too powerful. This system is known as separation of powers, and it’s coupled with checks and balances to ensure no branch exceeds its authority.

In addition to the separation of powers, the U.S. government operates under the principle of federalism, meaning that power is shared between the national (federal) government and state governments. This creates a dual system of government where both levels have distinct roles and responsibilities.

The Three Branches of Government

1. The Executive Branch

The executive branch is responsible for enforcing and implementing the laws of the United States. It is headed by the President, who is elected every four years. The President also serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the military, the head of state, and the chief diplomat representing the U.S. in international affairs. The executive branch also includes the Vice President, who steps in as President if the sitting President is unable to fulfill their duties, and the Cabinet, which is made up of the heads of federal agencies and departments.

Key responsibilities of the executive branch include:

• Enforcing federal laws.
• Conducting foreign policy and diplomacy.
• Directing national defense and military operations.
• Issuing executive orders to manage operations of the federal government.

2. The Legislative Branch

The legislative branch, known as Congress, is responsible for making the laws. Congress is a bicameral body, meaning it has two houses:

• The Senate: Comprised of 100 members, with two Senators from each state, serving six-year terms.
• The House of Representatives: Composed of 435 members, with the number of representatives per state based on population, serving two-year terms.

The primary responsibilities of Congress are:

• Introducing, debating, and passing laws.
• Appropriating funds for government operations.
• Ratifying treaties and confirming presidential appointments (in the Senate).
• Overseeing the actions of the executive branch through hearings and investigations.

3. The Judicial Branch

The judicial branch interprets the laws and ensures they are applied fairly. At the top of the judicial system is the Supreme Court, which has nine justices who serve for life. Below the Supreme Court are lower federal courts, including appellate courts and district courts, which handle cases involving federal law, disputes between states, and cases where the U.S. government is a party. get more details