American National Government: An Overview (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised May 20, 2004 |
| Report Number |
RS20443 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Frederick M. Kaiser, Government and Finance Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
Power in American national government is decentralized, divided, dispersed, and limited. This distribution of power derives in part from the Constitution, through limitations imposed on the government, the system of checks and balances among the three branches, and independent bases of support and authority for each branch. The Constitution is a brief document, compared to many other national and state constitutions. It limits the power of the national government, recognizes the independence and powers of the states, and establishes a new government regime that divides authorities among three branches. Congress, the President, and the Supreme Court have separate and distinct political bases under the Constitution to foster each branch's independence and integrity. This report, which examines these institutional characteristics, will be updated as developments require.
