Final answer:
State governments in the U.S. are part of a federal system and are democratic, with power divided across executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Governors fulfill roles analogous to the president, and states have distinctive responsibilities impacting citizens' lives more directly than the federal government.
Step-by-step explanation:
State governments in the United States are considered to be part of a federal system. This means that power is divided between a national government and the state governments. Each state has its own constitution and government, which is typically organized similarly to the federal government, with three branches: executive, headed by the governor; legislative, which is the state legislature; and judicial, made up of the state court system. As a democratic presidential republic, the U.S. features a democratic government with elected representatives, including the powerful role of the president at the national level, and governors at the state level. State governments have specific powers and responsibilities that affect the daily lives of citizens, often more directly than the federal government.
Regarding the types of governments, it is essential to understand the three basic criteria: who holds power, how leadership positions are obtained, and how authority is maintained. The United States has a democratic form of government, where leaders are elected by the people, and authority is maintained through a constitution and a system of laws. Governors perform functions similar to the president, including working with legislatures to enact laws, managing crises, and being the chief spokespersons for their states.