Legislative Branch. This branch consists of the Congress (the Senate and the House of
Representatives) which is responsible for making the federal laws. The Congress can pass the law
anyway if it gets a two-thirds majority votes. The President can veto (reject) it. Congress also plays an
informative role. It informs the public about different and important subjects.
Executive Branch.The executive power lies with the President of the United States who is
given the job of executing, enforcing, and administering the laws and government. The president is to
carry out the programmes of the Government, to recommend much of the legislation to the Congress.
Judicial Branch. The judicial power of the United States is vested in the Supreme Court – the
highest judicial organ of the state and the federal courts. Their job is to interpret and apply US laws
through cases brought before them. Another important power of the Supreme Court is that of Judicial
Review whereby they can rule laws unconstitutional.
The Constitution is built on six basic principles: Popular Sovereignty; Limited Government;
Separation of Powers; Checks and Balances; Judicial Review; Federalism.
Political Process. While the Constitution sets up the system of government, the actual way in
which the offices of Congress and the Presidency are filled is based upon the American political
system. The US exists under a two-party system. The two major parties in America are the Democratic
and Republican parties. Sometimes, a special issue produces a third party, but the third party often
loses strength. Parties perform a wide variety of functions. They act as coalitions and attempt to win
elections.
Elections. In the United States elections are held at all levels including local, state, and federal.
There are numerous differences from locality to locality and state to state. Even when determining the
presidency, there is some variation with how the electoral college (a body of people representing the
states of the USA, the system that is used in presidential elections) is determined from state to state.
While voter-turn-out is barely over 50% during Presidential election years and much lower than that
during midterm elections, elections can be hugely important.