This guide helps people understand where and how decisions on nuclear warfare are made in the United States government. The guide is organized into five main sections. "The Nature of the American Political System" covers the development of a republican form of democracy governed by checks and balances and designed so that power is shared by different branches. The characteristics of Congress as a whole and the specific committees in Congress that deal with issues related to nuclear war are covered in "The Institutions: The Congress." The section entitled "The Institutions: The Executive" discusses how the executive branch is divided by many of the same issues as Congress, even though it appears to have a more straightforward line of authority. In "The Citizen's Link: Elections," the role of the election process as well as the outcome of specific elections is stressed. A list of the members of key congressional committees for the 98th Congress and a list of additional sources of information are appended. (IS)