Module 1.5
Government
Government encompasses the institutions and political processes responsible for making public policy choices. These institutions have legal authority to govern and represent the people. In the United States, the Constitution outlines the federal government’s structure, including Congress, the president, executive agencies, and the federal court system. Each operates under a separation of powers, a principle discussed in later modules. State and local governments, guided by their respective constitutions and statutes, develop policies for their jurisdictions. Federalism, also addressed as we progress, defines the shared authority between national, state, and local governments. For example, national policies like environmental protection are often implemented by states under intergovernmental agreements. Conversely, areas like education and crime control are predominantly managed by state and local governments.