What Type of Government Is the United States of America?
The U.S. is recognized all over the world for its distinctive form of representative government. When we understand our government’s structure under the Constitution, we are empowered to make more informed choices as we strive to elect worthy representatives, advocate for our policy preferences, and protect what we value.
President Dallin Oaks has taught that one of the inspired principles of our Constitution is popular sovereignty. In other words, the people hold the ultimate power, not the government. The Constitution begins, “We the people of the United States . . . do ordain and establish this Constitution” in service of the lofty ideals articulated in the preamble. Below, we offer definitions for some of the important terms pertaining to America’s democratic republican system of government.
Defining democracy: Is the U.S. a democracy?
“We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society.” — Doctrine and Covenants 134:1
In a direct democracy, matters are decided by popular vote. In its purest form, a democracy would empower the people to directly make law and policy. Many states incorporate some elements of direct democracy through referendum or initiative processes that allow state citizens to vote directly on matters of law and policy. Some of these votes are binding, while others are advisory in nature. In the Constitution, the people directly elect representatives to carry out the lawmaking and executive powers. There are no federal initiative or referendum processes. Since each American citizen does not personally vote for each law or resolution, America is not a pure democracy but rather an indirect or representative democracy.1
America’s representative democracy is more democratic today than in the past, because it recognizes the right to vote more broadly than ever before. While your right to vote stems from your citizenship in your state, and states administer elections, the Constitution has been amended to ensure national standards recognizing the right to vote without regard to race and sex and ensuring the right of citizens 18 and over to participate. In some states, the right to vote may be limited for those who have been convicted of a felony.
Takeaway: Because each citizen of the U.S. has an opportunity to elect their representatives, America is influenced by democratic principles. But it is more than a democracy.
Defining republicanism: Is the U.S. a republic?
“We believe that all governments necessarily require civil officers and magistrates to enforce the laws of the same; and that such as will administer the law in equity and justice should be sought for and upheld by the voice of the people if a republic, or the will of the sovereign.” — Doctrine and Covenants 134:3
In a republic, the people choose legislative representatives to enact laws and executives, like a president or governor, to administer the laws in equity and justice. The primary characteristic of a republic is representative government, in which the people elect representatives2 to act on their behalf rather than voting directly on laws and policies.
Some conceptions of republican government also include an additional element that republics govern for the benefit of their citizens, to whom they are accountable. Thus, the primary characteristic of a republic is representative government, in which the people elect representatives to act on their behalf rather than voting directly on laws and policies. James Madison held that citizens must elect virtuous leaders for the system to work, and that the civic virtue of our leaders, rather than self-interest, is indeed a core characteristic of a successful republican government.
Takeaway: Because America governs for the public good, it operates under republican principles. But it is more than a republic.
Defining constitutionalism: Is the U.S. a constitutional government?
“We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society.” — Doctrine and Covenants 134:1
“We believe that every man should be honored in his station, rulers and magistrates as such, being placed for the protection of the innocent and the punishment of the guilty; and that to the laws all men owe respect and deference, as without them peace and harmony would be supplanted by anarchy and terror; human laws being instituted for the express purpose of regulating our interests as individuals and nations, between man and man; and divine laws given of heaven, prescribing rules on spiritual concerns, for faith and worship, both to be answered by man to his Maker.” — Doctrine and Covenants 134:6
In a constitutional republic, a governing document — a written constitution — establishes the structure and rules for the government. Elected leaders are bound by these fundamental rules, and citizens are not “ruled” by their leaders’ whims but by the duly enacted laws leaders enact in compliance with the constitution. This idea is the rule of law.3
The framers of the U.S. Constitution aspired to build a robust system of order and protection for the people — an ambitious endeavor to be sure. Nevertheless, the constitution’s division of government into three branches has contributed to the successes of the country for nearly two-and-a-half centuries. Comprised of 1) representatives of the people, or the legislative branch, 2) a president, or the executive branch, and 3) a supreme court, or the judicial branch, this three-branch system4 expands beyond a republic or democracy to encompass the rights of individual citizens against the government and against each other. It works to check abuses of power by any one entity.
Takeaway: Because America operates with regulations and laws, it is a constitutional government. But it is more than a constitutional government.
Defining federalism: Is the U.S. a federalist government?
“We believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments.” — Doctrine and Covenants 134:5.
Federalism refers to a kind of government where some powers belong to the federal officers and some to its states. The U.S. operates under a system of federalism, with powers for both federal and state governments.
Takeaway: Because America assigns some powers to the national government and others to its states, it practices federalism. But it is more than a federalist government.
Determining what kind of government the U.S. is can be accomplished with clarity when we know the definitions and avoid oversimplifying. We need only take care to describe the whole truth — that we are governed by a constitutional (laws), federal (nation and states with power) republic (representatives for the common good) working under principles of democracy (each individual with a voice). America is each of these, and together, this system of government aspires to provide “liberty and justice for all.”
Final takeaway: The U.S. is a constitutional, federal republic working under principles of democracy.
This article was written by Sherilyn Stevenson, lead writer and researcher for Mormon Women for Ethical Government.