What you will be able to do
name four levels or systems of government; match examples to government roles; explain that powers can be separate or shared
Local, Tribal, State, and National Levels
How do different levels of government serve people and work together?
Activate what you know
Name one public place or service, such as a road, park, school, clinic, or post office. Which government might help provide or oversee it? It is fine to make a first guess
- governmentthe people and institutions that make and carry out public decisions
- local governmentgovernment for a city, town, county, parish, borough, or similar local area
- tribal governmentthe government of a sovereign Tribal Nation
- state governmentthe government of one of the fifty states
- national governmentthe federal government of the United States
- powerthe legal authority to make or carry out a public decision
1
Different Governments Have Different Powers
Local governments make decisions for cities, towns, counties, and other local areas. State governments act for an entire state, and the national government acts for the United States. The Constitution and laws divide some powers and share others. Tribal Nations are sovereign political nations with their own governments. Tribal governments may make laws, provide services, care for lands and cultures, and work in government-to-government relationships with the United States and states. They are not clubs, racial groups, or parts of state government
2
Public Problems Can Cross Boundaries
Water, weather, transportation, and emergencies do not always stop at a boundary line. Governments can share information, make agreements, and coordinate work. Cooperation does not erase their different powers. To identify a role, look for evidence from an official source. A city webpage might explain trash collection, a Tribal government site might describe its council and programs, and a state or national site might explain a law or agency. Roles differ, so avoid guessing from one example
Match Carefully
Some roles have a clear level, such as the national government issuing passports. Others, including roads, education, health, and emergency response, may involve more than one government
Use the Government’s Own Source
Ask: Which government made this page or document? What role does it say the government has? Is the role shared with another government?
Tribal Nations Are Governments
A Tribal Nation is a present-day sovereign political nation. Its government is not simply a cultural organization or a lower level of state government
Role and Level Match
Match a city park, Tribal council, state driver’s-license office, and U.S. passport office to the most direct government example. Add a star beside a role that may involve cooperation
Local, Tribal, state, and national governments have legal powers and public roles. Some responsibilities are distinct, and many public needs require cooperation
Practice and answer guide
Work through all 8 questions. Open an answer only after you have written or explained your response.
- 1. Which government serves a sovereign Tribal Nation? A. tribal government B. school club C. private business
Check answer
Tribal government
- 2. Which government issues United States passports? A. national B. local C. classroom
Check answer
The national, or federal, government
- 3. Give one common example of a local government role
Check answer
Examples include maintaining some local streets or parks, providing fire services, libraries, water systems, or local planning. Exact roles vary by place
- 4. Give one common example of a state government role
Check answer
Examples include issuing driver’s licenses, operating state parks, maintaining state highways, or carrying out state laws. Exact roles vary
- 5. Draw four labeled boxes for local, Tribal, state, and national government. Add one example to each
Check answer
A correct drawing has all four labels and plausible examples, such as city park, Tribal council, driver’s license, and passport
- 6. Why might several governments cooperate after a large storm?
Check answer
A large storm can cross boundaries and require different legal powers, local knowledge, workers, equipment, information, and funds
- 7. Correct this statement: “Tribal government is just another name for local city government.”
Check answer
Tribal governments govern sovereign Tribal Nations under their own authority. They are distinct from local city governments and are not subordinate units of a state
- 8. A road crosses a city, Tribal land, and state land. What should you investigate before deciding which government is responsible for each part?
Check answer
Check official maps, laws, road records, and information from each government. Responsibility may differ by section or be shared