Final answer:
The U.S. government's structure, based on federalism, divides power among the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches. The legislative branch, or Congress, holds significant powers for policymaking. Federalism has evolved to reflect growing federal influence over time, affecting policy efficiency and response to citizen needs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Structure of the U.S. Government and Policy-making
The U.S. government operates on a system of federalism, which has evolved over time to balance power between the national government and the states. This structure impacts the policymaking capacity significantly. The U.S. Constitution established a government with power divided into three branches: the executive, legislative, and judiciary. Each branch has distinct roles, but they also share certain powers and responsibilities, ensuring a system of checks and balances that limits any single branch from gaining too much power.
The legislative branch, consisting of Congress (the House of Representatives and the Senate), has powers to create laws, regulate interstate and foreign commerce, approve budgets, declare war, and more. Through these powers, Congress plays a critical role in governance, although the effectiveness can vary based on the political climate and party unity.
Over time, federalism in the U.S. has adapted, making the power distribution more complex with the increasing influence of the federal government in areas traditionally managed by the states. This evolution can influence how efficiently policies are implemented and how responsive the system is to the needs of citizens at both the national and state levels.