Which statement correctly describes U.S. constitutional government?
1. U.S. government follows a federal system that divides powers.
2. U.S. government has relied on the same unchanged constitution for 200 years.
3. U.S. government was the first to use a constitutional system.
4. U.S. government officially gives powers to only the national government.
What do you think it is?
The correct statement that describes U.S. constitutional government is:
1. U.S. government follows a federal system that divides powers.
To arrive at this answer, we need to understand the principles of U.S. constitutional government and examine each statement provided.
1. U.S. government follows a federal system that divides powers.
This statement accurately describes the U.S. constitutional government. The U.S. government operates under a federal system, meaning power is divided between a central government (federal government) and individual state governments. The U.S. Constitution outlines the powers and responsibilities of each level of government, providing checks and balances to prevent the concentration of power.
2. U.S. government has relied on the same unchanged constitution for 200 years.
This statement is incorrect. While the U.S. Constitution has been the foundational document since its adoption in 1787, it has undergone numerous amendments and interpretations over the past 200+ years. The Constitution has been amended 27 times to address changing societal values and address new challenges faced by the nation.
3. U.S. government was the first to use a constitutional system.
This statement is incorrect. While the U.S. government is often praised for its constitutional system, it was not the first to use this system. Ancient civilizations like ancient Greece and Rome had established constitutions, and the influence of these systems can be seen in the development of the U.S. Constitution.
4. U.S. government officially gives powers to only the national government.
This statement is incorrect. The U.S. constitutional system divides power between the national government and state governments. While certain powers are delegated exclusively to the national government (such as the power to declare war), others are reserved for the states (such as the power to regulate intrastate commerce). This division of powers is a fundamental aspect of the U.S. constitutional government.