Fred S. answered  07/01/25
Master U.S. Government & Politics with Capitol Hill Veteran
Having worked extensively in both government and politics — on Capitol Hill, in campaigns, and now as a lobbyist — I see them as two sides of the same coin. The political system is the structure: it’s how power is organized, how elections work, and how decisions are supposed to be made in a democracy. Government is the group of people currently in charge — the elected officials, agencies, and institutions that carry out the day-to-day work of running the country. I’ve written legislation, helped shape policy, and worked directly with both government staff and political operatives. The two are deeply connected, but they’re not the same. One sets the rules; the other plays the game — ideally, in a way that serves the people.