U.S. Political Institutions: Congress, Presidency, Courts, and Bureaucracy

- Introductory
Add a Verified Certificate for $149
Associated Schools

How Congress members are influenced by their constituencies
What causes political polarization between Republicans and Democrats
How Congress’s structure limits progress on significant issues
How executive orders expand the powers of the presidency
Why presidents are less constrained in foreign policy than in domestic policy
The influence of politics on Supreme Court decisions
How do the three branches of government operate? How is power shared among Congress, the president, and the Supreme Court? What role is played by federal agencies that have no direct constitutional authority of their own?
In this part of our series on American Government, we will examine the separation of powers among the three branches of government, and the role of voters, political parties, and the broader federal bureaucracy. We’ll explore how “the people” affect the behavior of members of Congress, what constitutes success in a president’s domestic and foreign policies, and how much power an unelected judiciary should have in a democratic system.
Congress & Constituency
Congress & Party
Presidents & Domestic Policy
Presidents & Foreign Policy
Federal Bureaucracy
Judiciary & Supreme Court