Government
Government is a key part of any society and culture. Learn more about different types of government, politics and civic issues.
What Is a Postal Code? A Brief History of Zip Codes
From Human Skulls to Handguns, the Paris Lost and Found Has Seen It All
Running Antarctica's 'Penguin Post Office': Coolest Job Ever?
15 Largest Cities in England, Ranked by Population
15 Largest Cities in Australia, Ranked by Population
12 Largest Cities in Mexico, Ranked by Population
What to Do if Your Vote Is Challenged on Election Day
Why Does the U.S. House of Representatives Have Only 435 Seats?
Do Campaign TV Ads Really Change Voters' Minds?
Is the U.S. Prepared to Handle Natural Disasters During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
The Defense Production Act Was Designed for Emergencies Like Coronavirus
The Waffle House Index Is at Code Red; That's Not Good
7 Fastest-growing Cities in the U.S.: San Antonio, Phoenix, and More
10 Seattle Neighborhoods to Settle Into
12 London Neighborhoods for Tourists to Roam
Is Greenland Part of North America? Geologically, Yes
10 Most Corrupt Countries in the World — As Far As We Know
Most Racist Countries in the World: A Global Look at Inequality
How Does the U.S. Government Declassify Top Secret Documents?
How Does the U.S. Classify Its Most Sensitive Documents?
Why Data Encryption Remains a Really Complex Issue
Learn More / Page 6
'American Exceptionalism' is a slippery term that has been used both positively and negatively. What does it really mean and how did it come to be embraced by both American Democrats and Republicans?
By Dave Roos
With so much public outcry and concern over the rash of gun violence in the U.S., why would Congress cut federal funding for research into causes and solutions?
Members of the U.S. LGBTQ community want to be counted in the 2020 Census. So what's the big deal, and why would the government not count sexual orientation?
By John Donovan
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Anyone can submit an idea for a postage stamp, but who decides which ideas make the cut?
It's been invoked in the past, but never to remove a U.S. president from office. How does it work and when - if ever - should it be used?
Contrary to his tweeted threat to North Korea, President Trump doesn't actually have a nuclear button.
A handful of write-in candidates have been elected to both the U.S. House and Senate, but it's a difficult way to win office.
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The Constitution gives the U.S. Senate the power to expel one of its members by a two-thirds vote, but it hasn't happened since the Civil War, and there isn't a well-established process for doing it.
Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye was impeached and is on trial for corruption. Who was really pulling the strings during her administration?
By Diana Brown
Appointing family members to positions they didn't necessarily earn is often criticized. But nepotism reaches far beyond the business world, and it's not always so bad.
Sorry, democracy grinches: A single voter's decision can make a difference. American citizens have cast rare, but possible, pivotal votes throughout history.
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Gerrymandering the political trick of manipulating the size and shape of electoral districts, to give one party an advantage. It's always been a problem, but technology has taken it to new heights.
Freedom of the press is one of the most overused - and increasingly, misunderstood - phrases in modern society. We explore what it really means and what happens when the freedoms disappear.
Two consecutive 2017 hurricanes nearly exhausted FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund before Congress replenished it. But will that always happen?
Some countries have started allowing people to choose an 'X' on their passports to indicate an unspecified sex. Many people argue that's not enough and gender classifications don't belong on government documents at all.
By Dave Roos
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Some say that publishing someone's personal information online for the purpose of harassment is bad, even if that person spouts hate speech. Do you agree?
By Dave Roos
This time it's not honey that got Winnie the Pooh in trouble.
Anarchism is often thought of as a synonym for chaos and violence, but the philosophy of anarchism is far more nuanced than that.
Guess which president liked to skinny dip and which one liked petroleum jelly rubbed all over his head every morning.
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President Trump and Congressional Republicans have claimed that protesters who've shown up in force are being paid by their political opponents. Is there any evidence that's true?
Investigations have been a part of the U.S. Congress since 1790. Who decides on an investigation and how effective are they?
If you're a U.S. citizen with a passport, driver's license or state-issued ID, your face could wind up in a virtual lineup.
The National Security Council provides advice to the president on intelligence matters and coordinates activities in various government agencies. At least in theory. In reality, each U.S. president has used the council in the way that suits him.
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Whether an item is labeled as "made," "assembled" or "manufactured" in a country makes a big difference.
Once enacted by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966, the Freedom of Information Act provided citizens and journalists more access to government documents and material.