You may remember from school, or maybe a recent article “The Government’s Three Branches”, that there are officially three branches of government based upon The Constitution of the United States and replicated in The Wisconsin Constitution. Many, but less than half, United States citizens can even name them according to recent surveys!

For a quick review, and a reference for your further study, Article I describes the Legislative Branch. It is significant that the Legislative Branch comes first as it is the branch closest to “we the people”. Article II describes the Executive Branch and Article III describes the Judicial Branch. But, unofficially, there are more “branches” with a heavy influence in government which should be considered.

The media probably comes to mind as a significant influence on the way we are governed. The media has a responsibility to inform; not indoctrinate. The media reports the news and wields influence but is often edited to fit an agenda. Gone are the days when the New York Times first published “All the news that is fit to print” on the paper’s masthead (1897). It was meant to convey the published news was complete and impartial. While the slogan is still there, it seems much less significant today; almost meaningless. Gone are the days of Walter Cronkite, anchor of CBS Evening News from 1962 to 1981; known as the “most trusted man in America”, signing off with “And that’s the way it is”. Times have changed but the media still has influence like a branch of the government. The media seems to be self-appointed (and have its own agenda).

In the European tradition of the realm, the three major parts are the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners. The fourth estate, or the fourth power, is the media. My dictionary defines “fourth estate” with one word “journalism”.

If the media is the fourth branch of government, that makes the administrative, bureaucratic, entrenched “deep state” the fifth branch – though some may place it more powerful than the media. The “deep state” is defined as unauthorized groups or networks with power operating independently of political leadership in pursuit of their own agenda. The “deep state” includes career government employees that stay in government positions year after year, from this President or governor until the next and often beyond. Permanent might be a good description. They are hired, not elected, and think they know what we need or want better than we do! They appear unduly influenced by union leaders or other non-government organizations and prone to “that is the way we always did it” and “my way or the highway” syndromes. “Deep state” is a relatively new term only dating back a couple or three decades and my 1970s era dictionary does not even define the term.

Researching for the fifth branch of government, I found a book titled “The Fifth Branch” subtitled “Science Advisors As Policymakers” by Sheila Jasanoff, a Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University Professor (1988). Searching further there were several sources for the sixth branch of government but all of them were about the Space Force which is part of the Department of Defense within the Executive Branch and not a branch of government by itself!

The one group being left out but worthy of being considered a branch of the government is that of boards and committees. Boards and Committees are a diverse group of entities elected or selected to provide some level of government leadership. Some boards, like local boards of education, county boards of supervisors, or town governing boards are elected. Other boards, such as Wisconsin’s Board of Commissioners of Public Lands are totally composed by people by virtue of their professional title. Many boards are composed of a mix of professionals (some by virtue of their professional position) and citizens at large. Committees, such as a local building committee, are often appointed by an official entity and include volunteers with a few professionals included.

Looking at the Wisconsin Blue Book (2023-2024), many Executive Departments have a section “Subordinate statutory boards, councils, and committees” where professionals not otherwise affiliated with the government and civilians at large can apply for selection. The Supreme Court of Wisconsin, for example, has eight committees and boards for which they seek both lawyer and non-lawyer applicants. The Supreme Court even has an Appointment Selection Committee with twelve members (nine lawyers some by virtue of position and three appointed non-lawyer members of the public) to assist the Court in making appointments to various boards,

A major difference between federal law and Wisconsin law considering the branches of government involves the judicial branch. Federal judges and justices are selected (and then confirmed) while in Wisconsin they are elected.

Be a good citizen, be informed about the three official branches of our governments and the various other unofficial “branches” too. Then, get involved. If an elected government office isn’t for you, then consider a government board or committee. Inquire with your local or county government or with your state legislator for opportunities or assistance. Remember, government is “we the people!