|
|
 |
|
| U.S.
Government >
Introduction
|
|
What
kind of information materials are available?   |
|
The United States is a federal union of 50 states, with the District of Columbia as the seat of the federal government. The Constitution outlines the structure of the national government and specifies its powers and activities, and defines the relationship between the national government and individual state governments. Power is shared between the national and state (local) governments. Within each state are counties, townships, cities and villages, each of which has its own elective government. Governmental power
and functions in the United States rest in three branches of government:
the legislative, judicial, and executive. Article 1 of the Constitution
defines the legislative branch and vests power to legislate in the Congress
of the United States. The executive powers of the President are defined
in Article 2. Article 3 places judicial power in the hands of one Supreme
Court and inferior courts as Congress sees necessary to establish. In
this system of a "separation of powers" each branch operates independently
of the others, however, there are built in "checks and balances" to
prevent a concentration of power in any one branch and to protect the
rights and liberties of citizens. For example, the President can veto
bills approved by Congress and the President nominates individuals to
serve in the Federal judiciary; the Supreme Court can declare a law
enacted by Congress or an action by the President unconstitutional;
and Congress can impeach the President and Federal court justices and
judges. |
|
| Texts
are abridged from U.S. State Department IIP
publications and other U.S. government materials. |
|
| What
kind of information materials are available?
CD: These documents are available in fulltext format on the About the USA CD-ROM. Teachers: Request a copy for classroom use. L: Selected documents are available in German as well as other languages, including Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish, Persian and Turkish. |
DISCLAIMER
Any reference obtained from this server to a specific commercial product, process, or service does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the United States Government of the product, process, or service, or its producer or provider. The views and opinions expressed in any referenced document do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government. |
 U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Germany /Public Affairs/ Information Resource Centers Updated: July 9, 2009 |