Government consists of people and organizations within a society with legal authority to make, carry out, and enforce laws and to manage disputes about laws.

Most levels of government have distinct titles and duties for top leadership positions.

Local government consists of political units of authority serving the needs of a city, town, borough, county, etc. The title for the top leadership position is mayor (or village president, township supervisor, and/or city manager).

State government consists of three branches of government (legislative, makes laws; executive, carries out laws; judicial, interprets the laws). The title for the top leadership position in the executive branch is governor.

Federal government consists of three branches of government (legislative, makes laws; executive, carries out laws; judicial, interprets the laws). The top leadership position in the executive branch is president.

Citizenship is being a member of a nation by birth or by choice. Good citizenship is doing our share to make schools, neighborhoods and communities better places, cooperating with others, obeying rules, and respecting authority.

All individuals have needs. Individuals in a democratic society also have rights. In a democratic society people define their rights in a foundational document (like the U.S. Constitution) and make laws/rules to protect those rights.

Core democratic values are the fundamental beliefs and constitutional principles of American society.

Popular sovereignty means that the power of the government comes from the people, as set forth in the Constitution.

Rule of law means our government and citizens should be controlled and limited by our laws.

Common good is working together, as citizens, for the greater benefit of all. Federalism is the sharing of powers between national, state and local governments. Our national government is often called the federal government.