U.S. Government & Politics: Elections, Branches of Government

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Visitors leave the United States Capitol, the seat of the United States Congress and the legislative branch of the U.S. government, in Washington, D.C.

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Three Branches of Government

Separation of Powers The Enlightenment philosopher Montesquieu coined the phrase “trias politica,” or separation of powers, in his influential 18th‑century work “Spirit of the Laws.” His concept of a government divided into legislative, executive and judicial branches acting independently of each other inspired the framers of the U.S. Constitution, who vehemently opposed concentrating too much […]

Populism in the United States: A Timeline

The Know Nothings • 1849‑1860 One of the earliest populist political parties in America was the Know Nothings in 1849. Opposed to immigrants and Catholics, the Know Nothings used the beliefs of white Christian supremacy to seize political power over minority populations. The Know Nothings grew out of a Protestant secret society known as the Order […]

Checks and Balances

Separation of Powers The idea that a just and fair government must divide power between various branches did not originate at the Constitutional Convention, but has deep philosophical and historical roots. In his analysis of the government of Ancient Rome, the Greek statesman and historian Polybius identified it as a “mixed” regime with three branches: […]

Affirmative Action

Affirmative action programs attempt to address past discrimination by encouraging minority and women’s representation in college admissions and employment.

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The Rise of Populism

Populism is characterized by a political party member claiming to champion the interests of common people. However, delving into its roots requires revisiting the 19th century, when the term was first coined.