Government and Civics

Government and civics questions assess much more than your knowledge of how the U.S. government works. You will also need to know a little bit about the different kinds of government and what ideas influenced the U.S. government.

Practice Quiz

Types of Government

Many types of government have existed throughout history. Here are the six you need to know going into the GED social studies test.

In democracies, the government may have a unitary or federal structure. In unitary governments, such as Japan and the United Kingdom, political power and authority is centralized in the national government. In a federal system, such as the United States and Australia, states have authority over some matters, such as education and healthcare.

Since World War II (1939-45), more countries have adopted some form of democracy. This process accelerated after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Ideas that Influenced American Government

In the 18th century, the United States’ Founding Fathers pulled on many political and social ideas that had evolved during the Enlightenment – a then-recent period in European history where prominent thinkers questioned political and social norms.

The Founding Fathers studied these and other writers’ texts closely as they gathered to write the U.S. Constitution.

The U.S. Constitution

Written in 1787, the Constitution creates the framework of government the United States uses to this day. It does the following:

• Establishes the three branches of the federal government
• Defines what the federal government can do
• Protects the rights of states and the people

Crafting the Constitution was not without controversy. Some people believed that the federal government would have too much power. A compromise known as the Bill of Rights was made. The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. They include:

• 1st Amendment: Right to freedom of speech, religion, press, and protest
• 2nd Amendment: Right to bear arms
• 3rd Amendment: Protection from soldiers living in people’s homes during peacetime
• 4th Amendment: Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures
• 5th Amendment: Protection of property rights; protection from forced self-incrimination in court
• 6th Amendment: Right to a speedy and public trial
• 7th Amendment: Right to a jury trial in federal courts
• 8th Amendment: Protection from cruel and unusual punishment
• 9th Amendment: Protection of people’s rights not specifically listed in the Constitution
• 10th Amendment: Powers the Constitution does not specifically give to the federal government remain with the states

The Constitution has been amended further 17 times since 1787. Constitutional amendments have extended the right to vote to African Americans and women, eliminated poll taxes, and lowered the voting age. These protections are known as civil liberties, while applying them equally among all groups of people is known as civil rights. Many minorities have had to fight for their civil rights throughout American history.

Amending the Constitution is a lengthy process that can happen in a few ways. The most common way is for Congress to propose an amendment much like passing a bill. Three-fourths of state legislatures must then pass the amendment for it to become part of the Constitution.

The U.S. Federal Government

The U.S. federal government is made up of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Each is run by different people and has unique powers.

When the founders wrote the Constitution, they did more than create the separation of powers among the branches of government. They also created a system of checks and balances to make sure no one branch had undue influence on government.

Checks and balances do not work perfectly. During the Civil War (1861-65), President Abraham Lincoln ignored Supreme Court decisions that he felt impeded the war effort.

The Relationship Among Federal, State, and Local Governments

Federalism – the sharing of powers – defines the relationship between the federal government and state governments. The Constitution, written in 1787, gives the federal government enumerated powers. Every power not specifically given to the federal government remained with the states. These powers are known as reserved powers. The federal government’s enumerated powers and the states’ reserved powers created a governing system known as dual federalism.

However, the Constitution gives the federal government implied powers that are “necessary and proper” to execute its enumerated powers. For example, an implied power that supports tax collection includes passing laws punishing tax offenders.

The growth of the federal government throughout American history changed its relationship with the states. Beginning in the 1930s, cooperative federalism saw the federal government and states collaborate on projects that included highways, civil rights legislation, and Medicaid. Many of the projects involve the federal governments and states contributing money toward a common goal.

The relationship between individual states and their local governments is just as complex as the relationship between the federal government and the states. State governments fund local governments, which run schools, fire departments, and other civic services. State legislatures decide how much federalism exists between them and their local governments.

Political Parties and Interest Groups

Political parties have been in the United States for nearly as long as its existence. The earliest American political parties differed over their views on slavery and the nation’s future. Other issues that separate political parties include foreign relations and culture.

In the United States, the Democratic and Republican Parties are the dominant political forces. Both founded in the 19th century, their platforms – the ideas they uphold – have shifted significantly over time.

Many other nations also have political parties. Some political parties, such as the Greens in Germany, run on a single issue, such as environmental protection. Voters may align with a political party or remain independent.

Interest groups raise money to support a political party aligning with their goals. An interest group may care about a single issue, such as women’s or LGBTQ+ rights. Interest groups also influence elected officials with lobbyists. Lobbyists voice their concerns to elected officials and attempt to influence public opinion through advertising and other means.

Citizen Participation

Citizens can participate in politics in ways other than voting or running for office. People have a civic responsibility to engage with their country, such as by obeying laws, attending local government meetings, and staying informed of the latest news. People learn how to be good, productive citizens through political socialization – learning how the political system works and the best way(s) to engage with it. Many Americans start their political socialization in school.

Government and Civics Review Quiz