On this page, you'll find resources for learning more about the structure of the U.S. government. Sources explain separation of powers, which divides the government into three branches; federalism, under which the federal government shares governing power with the state governments; and the U.S. Constitution, which provides the basis for the government's power.
In addition to the separation of powers between the three branches of the federal government, the United States also divides power between the states and federal government. The relationship between state governments and the federal government is called federalism.
The books below provide introductions to federalism.
Constitutional Law: National Power and Federalism by 
Federal Courts and the Law of Federal-State Relations by 
Federalism: A reference Guide to the United States Constitution by The United States is a constitutional republic, which means that officials are elected as representatives of the people and in which a constitution sets out the rules of government.
The U.S. has three branches of government (legislative, judicial, and executive), each of which has separate powers and can provide checks and balances against either of the other two branches. The Government Publishing Office's infographic provides a visual explanation of the powers, checks, and balances of each branch.
Below, we've provided links to books that you can check out from the law library that discuss separation of powers and the structure of the U.S. government.
Balance of Forces: Separation of Powers Law in the Administrative State by 
Constitutional Landmarks: Supreme Court Decisions on Separation of Powers, Federalism and Economic Rights by
This book examines leading Supreme Court decisions involving the powers of the Court, the president, and Congress, as well as cases addressing American federalism and Americans' economic rights. By analyzing both the Court's opinions and voting patterns from 1791 through 2018, this volume presents an overview of the role of the Supreme Court in the legal and political system of the United States throughout its entire history, regularly relying on Robert McCloskey's theory of the nation's three major constitutional eras and the Supreme Court Database in its organizational approach. Over 100 of the Supreme Court's most significant rulings, old and new, are covered and clarified in this volume to provide an objective, reliable, and valuable resource for students, academics, legal professionals, and the general public alike.
Separation of Powers in Practice by
Each branch of American government possesses inherent advantages and disadvantages in structure. In this book, the author relies on a separation-of-powers analysis that emphasizes the advantage of the legislature to draft precise words to fit intended situations, the judiciary's advantage of being able to do justice in an individual case, and the executive's homogeneity and flexibility, which best suits it to decisions of an ad hoc nature. Identifying these structural abilities, the author analyzes major public policy issues, including gun control, flag burning, abortion, civil rights, war powers, suing the President, legislative veto, the exclusionary rule, and affirmative action. Each issue is examined not from the point of view of determining the right outcome, but with the intention of identifying the branch of government most appropriate for making the decision.
The U.S. Constitution provides the basis for the U.S. government system. You can review the literal print of the U.S. Constitution, as well as the Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The below resources provide analyses and discussions of the Constitution and its role in the U.S. legal system.
American Constitutionalism 3rd ed. by 
The Constitution of the United States of America: A Contextual Analysis by 
Constitutional Law: Principles and Policies 7th ed. by In addition to the federal constitution, each state in the union has its own constitution. The following resources provide analysis of state branches of government and how state constitutions protect civil, economic, and political rights.
The Law of American State Constitutions 2nd ed. by 
State Constitutional Law 4th ed. by 
©Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305.
