What type of government does the United States have?

The United States operates as a federal republic, which means it is a union of states with a representative democracy that emphasizes the separation of powers among different branches of government. In this system, power is distributed between the national and state governments, allowing for a balance of authority and enabling local self-governance while being part of a larger national framework. The federal structure ensures that both state and federal governments operate under the U.S. Constitution, with elected representatives making decisions on behalf of the citizens.

In contrast, a parliamentary system concentrates executive power in the hands of a prime minister and their cabinet, drawn from the legislature, which is not the case in the U.S. Additionally, a monarchy signifies a government led by a king or queen, typically with hereditary succession, which is fundamentally different from the elected leadership in the U.S. Lastly, a theocracy is ruled by religious leaders or based on religious laws, which does not align with the secular principles established by the U.S. Constitution.