The United States has a single, bicameral, and federal law-making body with a strong judicial branch. The Constitution outlines the structure of the government and the rights of the individuals and also establishes the procedures by which the government will operate. The Constitution was originally composed of seven articles. The first three articles provide guidance on the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches, the independence of the judiciary from both the executive and legislative branches, and the rights of the individual. The next three articles address the rights and responsibilities of state governments and of the states in relation to the federal government. The final article establishes the process by which the Constitution must be ratified by the states.

The Constitution is the supreme law of the United States.