Most of us can name the three branches of government, although some recent news indicates a significant number of people living in the United States cannot. This is documented in a September 2022 article published by the University of Pennsylvania titled “Americans’ Civics Knowledge Drops on First Amendment and Branches of Government”. An August 2024 article published by the Harvard University titled “Your kid can’t name three branches of government? He’s not alone” further documents this basic and systemic ignorance about our American way of government.

The term government could refer to a process or the people involved. The Cambridge English dictionary defines government as “the group of people who officially control a country”. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines government as “the body of persons that constitutes the governing authority of a political unit or organization” and then continues “the act or process of governing (authoritative direction or control)”.

This article will emphasize the people and not the process. The United States Constitution is the foundation, the bedrock, of our government. The preamble to the Constitution states

“We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Article I Section 1 starts “All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.” Article I then continues with Section 1 and then nine more sections explaining the full scope of the Legislative Branch of our government. The Legislative Branch is the key to “We the people”, or the representative form of government, and quite possibly why it is Article I. Each State has two Senators while the House of Representatives is proportioned based on population with each state having a minimum of one Representative. Senators serve a staggered six year term while Representatives serve a two year term. Simply put, the Legislative Branch makes the laws. Legislators are elected by “We the people”.

Article II Section 1 starts “The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. Article II then continues with Section 1 and then two more sections explaining the full scope of the Executive Branch of our government. Simply put, the Executive Branch runs the country based on the laws made by the Legislative Branch. The President, as Chief Executive, is elected by “We the people” (through a process known as the Electoral College which allows states to cast votes equal to the number of Senators and Representatives based on the citizens’ choice). The President (and new administration) appoints about 4,000 new Executive Branch staff members. About 1,200 of these 4,000 require confirmation by the Senate.

Article III Section 1 starts “The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.” Article III then continues with Section 1 and then two more sections explaining the full scope of the Judicial Branch of our government. Justices for the Supreme Court and other federal judges are selected by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Simply put, the Judicial Branch assures that all government directives follow the “Rule of Law” and settles certain disputes of various descriptions. Many contemporary jurists are considered “activist” and need to be reminded that laws are made by the legislative branch and not the judicial branch!

This three branch style of government was designed to ensure separation of powers, to make government effective, and to protect citizens’ rights. Each branch has its own powers and responsibilities and ensures no individual or group has too much power. It may not be perfect, but it has been quite functional for almost 238 years and we need to work together to keep it strong!

This lack of knowledge alone justifies adding civics to reading, writing, and arithmetic to elementary and high school curriculum as we strive to make American education great again!

Editor’s Note – A following article will explore the “deep state”, the “administrative state”, the influence of the media, and the role of boards and commissions. It will also point out a basic difference or two between federal and Wisconsin law.