American Government - Life in the USA

Government in America is large, perhaps too large. Some Americans believe that all social concerns can be treated and solved by the government, while others see the government as a vested interest with no function but to perpetuate itself.

Whatever your view, in the United States you will have to deal with government at many levels. If you want to add an addition to your home, you will need a permit from the local town or city government. You will get your driver’s license from the state government, or a small business loan from the federal government. You will certainly pay taxes to government entities at a number of levels. In the United States, a complicated system of laws affects everyday life, yet many laws also affect and restrict the action of government itself.

The sections that follow give a survey of the structure of American government plus some basic information on American laws, followed by information about the police in the United States as well as the American military.

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Full Chapter Outline:
Structure of Government
—From the Beginning
—The Bill of Rights
—Rights of Accused People
—The Executive Branch
—The Legislative Branch
—The Judicial Branch
—Balance of Power
—State Governments