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3: The Institutions of the United States Government

  • Page ID
    124360
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    Supporting Question:

    • How do the institutions of the U.S. political system work?

    Topic 3: Institutions of United States Government

    Topic 3 examines the central institutions or branches of the United States government along with their roles and functions in our political system. The three branches of the federal government are the legislature (Congress), the executive (President), and judiciary (Supreme Court). States also have three branches of government: legislatures, executives (called governors) and courts. Local government branches consist of mayors, councils, town selectboards, or other governing bodies elected by the people.

    • 3.1: Branches of Government and the Separation of Powers
      Federalism and the separation of powers in the U.S. political system, into the three branches of government and the state and federal levels of government. The story of Shirley Chisholm, a New York Congresswoman who was the first Black woman to run for President. The debate over statehood for Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.
    • 3.2: Examining the Relationship of the Three Branches
      Exploring the checks and balances between the three branches of the U.S. government, with a focus on the executive branch. The war powers of the President and how they have changed over time. The process and standards for impeachment of a President.
    • 3.3: The Roles of the Congress, the President, and the Courts
      The roles of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the U.S. government. Issues of representation within each branch: whether a woman can be elected President, electing LGBTQIA legislators, and Supreme Court cases involving the rights of children and teenagers.
    • 3.4: Elections and Nominations
      The process for electing a U.S. President through the Electoral College. Disputed elections in U.S. history, including the 2000 Presidential election. Instant runoff/ranked-choice voting as a potential alternative to the Electoral College system.
    • 3.5: The Role of Political Parties
      The development of today's political parties throughout U.S. history. The emergence of radical political parties in different eras: the Populists, Socialists, and Black Panthers. Whether every voter should join a political party.

    Thumbnail: "big government" cartoon by Cartoosh


    This page titled 3: The Institutions of the United States Government is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Robert W. Maloy & Torrey Trust (EdTech Books) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.