Government and Administration of the United States

"Government and Administration of the United States" by Westel W. Willoughby and William F. Willoughby is a comprehensive guide crafted for students, exploring the foundations and workings of American governance in the early 1900s. The book examines the U.S. government's framework, its historical development, and the roles of different administrative agencies, offering insights into how these elements function. Beginning with an outline of its objectives, the authors state the book was created for use in Washington, D.C.'s public schools. The authors highlight that their goal is to present key elements of the federal government's administration, surpassing what standard civic education provides, rather than providing a complete textbook. They stress how important it is to study the U.S. government's growth, emphasizing that the current government has grown far beyond the original 1787 Constitution. Willoughby and Willoughby then begin by reviewing the basic roles of government, such as legislative, judicial, and executive powers, and briefly address different government types, like monarchy and democracy, to prepare for a more detailed study of American governance.