What type of government does the United States have?

The United States has a constitutional republic, which is characterized by a system of government where representatives are elected by the citizens to make decisions on their behalf. The U.S. Constitution serves as the foundational legal document, outlining the structure of the government and the rights of the citizens.

In a constitutional republic, the powers of government are limited by law, ensuring a separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. This framework is designed to protect individual rights and maintain a balance of power, preventing any single entity or majority from dominating. The representatives are accountable to the electorate, emphasizing the importance of both citizen participation and the rule of law.

This distinguishes the U.S. from a direct democracy, where citizens themselves vote on laws and policies, or from a parliamentary system, where the executive branch derives its legitimacy from and is directly accountable to the legislature. Additionally, a constitutional monarchy involves a monarch as head of state with powers limited by a constitution, which does not apply to the United States given its republican structure without a royal family.