Politics of the United States

The federal government of the United States was established by the United States Constitution. United States politics is dominated by the two major parties, the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. There are several other groups or parties of minor political significance.

Political culture

Most schools in the United States teach the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the writings of the Founding Fathers as the definition of the country's governing ideology. Among the core tenets of this ideology are the following:

Related Topics:
Declaration of Independence - Bill of Rights - Founding Fathers

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• The government is answerable to citizens, who may change it through elections.
• The government's power in matters of religion, expression, and law enforcement should be limited to prevent abuse of power.
• The laws should attach no special privilege to any citizen (that is, citizens should be equal before the law).

Individuals and political parties debate how this ideology applies to particular circumstances, and may disagree openly with any of it.

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At the time of the United States's founding, the economy was predominantly one of private business, and state governments left welfare issues to private or local initiative. The United States government has largely accepted the system of private enterprise and opposed broad grants of support to citizens, although the experience of the Great Depression challenged both positions. As a result the US tends to be ideologically oriented toward capitalism in contrast with the social democratic cultures in Europe.

Related Topics:
Great Depression - Capitalism - Social democratic

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Prior to World War II the United States pursued a policy of isolationism in foreign affairs by not taking sides in conflicts between foreign powers. The country abandoned this policy when it became a superpower, but the country remains skeptical of internationalism. The ideology of the incumbent President and the President's advisors largely determines the government's attitude in foreign affairs.

Related Topics:
World War II - Isolationism - Superpower - Internationalism

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