The U. S. Government

Learn about the form and functions of the US government with detailed articles, extensive study guides, homework helpers, and clear, unbiased analysis of politics and policy.

  • The National Archives Building, opened in 1935, is the original headquarters of the National Archives and Records Administration.
    Presidential Records Act: Provisions and Application
  • Road to presidential election begins with Iowa Caucuses.
    What Is a Caucus? Definition and Examples
  • Cartoon showing John Bull standing ready to feed on The United States representing the Nullification crisis of 1832.
    What Is Nullification? Definition and Examples
  • US capitol building with grass plant in the foreground symbolizing grassroot political movements.
    What Is a Grassroots Movement? Definition and Examples
  • Graphic rendering of a businesswoman being held back by red tape.
    What Is Bureaucracy, and Is It Good or Bad?
  • US National Guard units patrolling outside the main New York Post Office at Cadman Plaza. They have been ordered there by President Nixon as a result of a strike by Post Office workers
    What Is a National Emergency?
  • USA, New York City, Washington Square Park, George Washington monument with American flag in background
    Why Do We Celebrate President's Day?
  • Donald Trump
    Why Donald Trump's Companies Went Bankrupt
  • A leaf of a marijuana plant
    Decriminalization Versus Legalization of Marijuana
  • How long can a president stay in office? illustration
    How Many Years Can a President Serve in the White House?
  • President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden
    List of Obama Gun Control Measures
  • Young millworker in 1908
    The Differences Between Socialism and Communism
  • President-Elect Joe Biden And Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris Address The Nation After Election Win
    How Presidents and Vice Presidents Are Elected
  • The White House - Washington DC, USA
    Government 101: The United States Federal Government
  • Michelle Obama Welcomes Military Families To White House To View Holiday Decorations
    How to Order Greeting Cards From the White House
  • Patrick Henry addressing the Constitutional Convention
    Who Were the Anti-Federalists?
  • White House Press Corps
    All About the White House Press Corps
  • Members of Congress being sworn into office.
    How Many Days a Year Congress Works
  • Dream Catcher
    U.S. Apology to Native Americans
  • Jail cell
    Where People Convicted of Felonies Can Vote in the U.S.
  • President Franklin Roosevelt
    Why the President's Party Loses Seats in Midterm Elections
  • Preamble of Constitution
    How to Amend the Constitution
  • Social Security worker holding up a benefit check
    How and When to Apply for Social Security Benefits
  • Political cartoon illustrating the coattail effect.
    What Is the Coattail Effect in Politics?
  • Obama Speaks at DNC Fundraiser in Chicago
    Political Career of Barack Obama
  • President Obama at press conference
    The Biggest Controversies of Barack Obama's Presidency
  • Jury Poll
    How Jurors Are Chosen in the U.S. Court System
  • Presidential Seal at the JFK Library
    Unitary Executive Theory and the Imperial Presidency
  • Meeting of the National Security Council.
    What the National Security Council Does
  • Mark Zuckerberg addresses a crowd with a microphone
    Is Mark Zuckerberg a Democrat or a Republican?
  • jim jordan speaks at a political event
    Members of the Freedom Caucus and Their Mission in Congress
  • A politician counting money in front of the US Capitol Building
    Annual Salaries of Top US Government Officials
  • Outline of united states with barcode, studio shot
    Answering the US Census: Is It Required by Law?
  • Capitol Hill Against Sky
    Behind-the-Scenes of Congress When It Is in Recess
  • Preamble to American Constitution
    What Is a Constitutionally Limited Government?
  • The 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives take the oath of office.
    The Oaths of Office for President, Vice President, Judges and Congress
  • United States Censjus
    What Do U.S. Census Takers Do?
  • USA, New Jersey, Jersey City, Close up of woman's hand holding open passport
    Proof of U.S. Citizenship Documents
  • Facade of the White House
    A List of US Attorneys General
  • Federal Employees Protest Sequestration At Dep't Of Labor
    Sequestration and the Federal Budget
  • Group of immigrants becoming US citizens during a naturalization ceremony
    The Oath of U.S. Citizenship and Allegiance to the U.S. Constitution
  • Sculpture of the scales of justice
    Understanding the Dual Court System
  • Social Security Card
    How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Social Security Card
  • Two women talking in government building
    What Does a Lobbyist Do?
  • White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany answers questions during the daily briefing at the White House.
    Donald Trump's Press Secretaries
  • Person burning dollar note
    Why Burning Money Is Illegal in the United States
  • Cropped Hands Of Journalists Interviewing Businessman
    What Is the Fourth Estate?
  • The US Supreme Courthouse
    Is It Illegal To Take Pictures of Federal Buildings?
  • Painting of the Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States
    National Supremacy and the Constitution as Law of the Land
  • President Donald Trump stands at a podium delivering speech to press following impeachment trial investigations
    Why a President Cannot Be Recalled
  • Earmarks
    What Is the Definition of an Earmark?
  • U.S. Congress Wrangles With Agreement To Solve Government Shutdown
    Members of Congress by Profession
  • A copy of former President George Washington's personal copy of the Constitution and Bill of Rights is displayed at Christie's auction house
    The First 10 Amendments to the Constitution
  • Barack Obama
    The Political Makeup of Congress
  • This is the U.S. Capitol during the Bicentennial of the Constitution Celebration. There are red, white and blue balloons falling around the Capitol Dome. It marks the dates that commemorate the Centennial 1787-1987.'
    Why Do People Need Government?
  • Older couple sharing glasses of wine
    Living Past 90 in America is No Decade at the Beach
  • NSA headquarters
    The "Deep State" Theory, Explained
  • Democrats Hold All-Night Senate Session To Push For Action Against Climate Change
    The Effects of the Seniority System on How Congress Works
  • Vintage print of the first twenty-one Presidents seated together in The White House.
    The Shortest US Presidents
  • Stacks of law books on a wood table with eyeglasses
    Why We Need Laws to Exist in Society
  • People standing of CIA logo in CIA building
    Spy Jobs at the CIA
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