A federal government is a system of government in which power is divided between a central national government and various regional or state governments that are connected but have some degree of autonomy. This structure allows both the central government and the states to govern in their respective areas of authority
. In the United States, the federal government is the national government established by the U.S. Constitution. It is composed of three distinct branches:
- The legislative branch (Congress), which makes laws and consists of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- The executive branch , headed by the President, which enforces laws and oversees the administration of government.
- The judicial branch , made up of federal courts including the Supreme Court, which interprets laws and the Constitution
The U.S. Constitution defines the powers of the federal government and reserves all other powers to the states and the people, as outlined in the Tenth Amendment. The federal government typically handles national concerns such as defense, foreign policy, currency, and interstate commerce, while states manage local matters
. In summary, a federal government balances power between a central authority and regional governments, allowing for shared sovereignty within a nation. The U.S. federal government is a prime example, structured to ensure governance across the entire country while respecting state powers
