How is a lieutenant governor different from a governor?

A lieutenant governor is the second highest executive official in a state government and serves as the backup or successor to the governor. A governor is the head of state and government of a U.S. state and is responsible for enforcing state laws and overseeing the state’s executive branch. The specific responsibilities and powers of…

The Individual Often Does Make a Difference in Society

Stanford University Commencement Address by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor “It is the individual who …

What is the History of the Public Square?

The concept of the public square has a long and rich history, tracing its roots back to ancient civilizations such as Greece and Rome. In these societies, the public square served as a central gathering place where citizens could come together to discuss politics, exchange ideas, and engage in commerce. In colonial America, public squares…

“Beyond the Public Square: Imagining Digital Democracy”

The Yale Law Journal article “Beyond the Public Square: Imagining Digital Democracy” considers the public square’s modern form and how we can best design a 21st-century public square that improves upon the physical varieties that preceded it.

How Has Control of the Executive and Legislative Branches Changed Over Time?

Voting Rights Act of 1965

In a landmark piece of American legislation, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed to prohibit racial discrimination in voting, guaranteeing equal access to the ballot for all citizens. Enacted during the height of the civil rights movement, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the bill into law on August 6, 1965. The Act enforces…

What is Federalism?

Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units. In the United States, federalism refers to the division of power between the national government and state governments. The Constitution of the United States established a federal system of government by creating a national government with…

What is the History of Political Parties in the United States?

For more than two centuries, the Democratic and Republican parties have been the two major political parties in the United States. The history of these two parties is long and rich, and their impact on US history is undeniable. However, they are not the only parties we have had in the history of the United…

Trex and Hunter

As alumni of the Sandra Day O’Connor Civics Camp, we feel it’s important to share how this extraordinary experience has helped shape our lives, ambitions, and outlook on government and education. Our names are Hunter White and Trex Jones, this is our story. We attended Camp O’Connor in the summer of 2018. We were both…

What Are the Articles of Confederation and Why Did it Fail?

While the Declaration of Independence was the first step toward creating a new country, the United States still was not free. It needed to defeat the British Army and create a framework for its new government. From July 1776 to 1781, the Second Continental Congress served as the government for the new United States of…