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GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Power in the national government is dispersed, divided, and decentralized; it is also limited, directly and indirectly, by the Constitution. To protect certain individual rights and political liberties, this charter places explicit restrictions on the national government, principally through the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment. The 1st Amendment, for instance, mandates that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." The Constitution also establishes checks and balances among the three branches of government - the executive, judiciary, and legislature - each of which has its own independent institutional base and its own enumerated and implied powers. The branches, moreover, share responsibility for policy making at the national level. As a consequence of these characteristics, the Constitution issues an "invitation to struggle" over the direction of American public policy, while at the same time serving as the cornerstone upon which all of American freedom and success lies.
(Abridged from publications of the Bureau of International Information Programs/U.S. Department of State and other U.S. government materials.)
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
- USA.gov - the official U.S. gateway to all government information
- Core Documents of U.S. Democracy (U.S. Government Printing Office) - the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and other important papers and documents
- ThisNation - comprehensive web site with links and information about the U.S. government
- The Federal Web Locator (Center for Information Law and Policy/Illinois Institute of Technology) - list of the official websites for the legislative branch, judicial branch, executive branch, independent agencies, quasi-official agencies, federal boards, commissions and committees, and non-governmental federally related organizations
- Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids (U.S. Government Printing Office) - information and activities specifically tailored for educators, parents, and students
- About America: How the United States Is Governed, posted October 2005, joint publication by the State Department's Bureau of International Information Programs and Braddock Communications. It presents a comprehensive yet easy-to-read overview of the various levels of and institutions related to government in the U.S. "How the United States Is Governed" describes how federal, state, and local governments are elected, how they operate, and how the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government relate under the U.S. constitutional system. It also highlights how nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and other institutions allow Americans to influence and shape government policy. This publication contains a glossary and a list of useful Web sites.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
- United States Government Manual 2008/2009 - As the official handbook of the Federal Government, The United States Government Manual provides comprehensive information on the agencies of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. The Manual also
includes information on quasi-official agencies; international organizations in which the United States participates; and boards, commissions, and committees.
- Outline of U.S. Government - a comprehensive outline providing useful information on all aspects of the U.S. federal government
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
JUDICIAL BRANCH
Selected Federal Agencies and Organizations
- U.S. Census Bureau/U.S. Department of Commerce - the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and economy
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) - collect, evaluates, and disseminates vital information on political, military, economic, scientific, and other developments abroad needed to safeguard national security.
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) - the lead Federal agency in enforcing narcotics and controlled substances laws and regulations
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - leads the nation's environmental science, research, education and assessment efforts.
- Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) - responsible for the safety of civil aviation
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - the principal investigative arm of the United States Department of Justice
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC) - an independent United States government agency charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable
- Free Trade Commission (FTC) - has jurisdiction to enhance consumer welfare and protect competition in broad sectors of the economy.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - promotes and protects the public health by helping safe and effective products reach the market in a timely way, and monitoring products for continued safety after they are in use
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) - conducts research for the solution of flight problems within and outside the Earth's atmosphere and develops, constructs, tests, and operates aeronautical and space vehicles. It conducts activities required for the exploration of space with manned and unmanned vehicles and arranges for the most effective utilization of the scientific and engineering resources of the United States with other nations engaged in aeronautical and space activities for peaceful purposes.
- National Park Service (NPS) - dedicated to conserving unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The NPS develops and implements park management plans and staffs the areas under its administration.
- National Security Agency (NSA) - the Nation's cryptologic organization. It coordinates, directs, and performs highly specialized activities to protect U.S. information systems and produce foreign intelligence information.
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) - protects investors and maintains the integrity of the securities markets
- Smithsonian Institution - an independent trust instrumentality of the United States which comprises the world's largest museum and research complex. The Smithsonian is dedicated to public education, national service, and scholarship in the arts, sciences, history, and culture.
- Social Security Administration (SSA) - manages the Nation's social insurance program, consisting of retirement, survivors, and disability insurance programs, commonly known as Social Security.
- United States Postal Service (USPS) - provides mail processing and delivery services to individuals and businesses within the United States.
- United States International Trade Commission (USITC) - an independent, nonpartisan, quasi-judicial federal agency that provides trade expertise to both the legislative and executive branches of government, determines the impact of imports on U.S. industries, and directs actions against certain unfair trade practices, such as patent, trademark, and copyright infringement.
POLITICAL PARTIES
STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
- The Council of State Governments - a multi-branch state association dedicated to helping state governments better understand each other and the national government through a series of open contacts and information resources
- National Governors Association (NGA) - The NGA's ongoing mission is to support the work of the governors by providing a bipartisan forum to help shape and implement national policy and to solve state problems.
- State and Local Government on the Net - a directory of links to government sponsored and controlled resources on the Internet
- National Conference of State Legislatures - a forum for advancing ideas in the individual states, across other states, and on Capitol Hill; for promoting information-sharing, one-on-one and collectively; and for providing the knowledge and resources needed to get America's ideas working
- The U.S. Conference of Mayors - a national body made up of America's city mayors intended to provide information and assistance whenever possible to the mayors and the public at large
- State and Local Governments - Library of Congress
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