1. Principles of Government
Systems, Forms, and Types

2. Standard:
Essential Question
SSCG 19 : Compare and contrast governments that are unitary, confederal, federal, autocratic, oligarchic, democratic, presidential and parliamentary.
What are the similarities and differences between the many forms of government including; unitary, confederal, federal, autocratic, oligarchic, democratic, parliamentary and presidential?

3. Objectives
Learn the four essential features of a “state” (not a “State”).
Learn the four theories about the origination of states
Understand the difference between unitary, confederal and federal systems of government
Learn about the three major forms of government
Identify key characteristics of democratic government

4. “State” or “state?”
“State” (capitalized) refers to a political subdivision of the United States, such as the State of Montana
“state” (lower case) refers to a nation-state or country, such as France or the United States

5. Theories on Origin of states
Divine right (God given right to rule)
Social contract (Society’s need for order)
Force theory (organize to resist enemies)
Evolutionary theory (extended family rule became government)

6. Systems and Types of Government
In order to study government, we first need to look at the following: Systems: How is the Power distributed Types: Who rules and who participates

7. Systems of government are based on one question…
…How is the power distributed?
There are three ways governments distribute power:
Unitary
Confederation
Federal

8. Unitary One central government controls everything
Power is NOT shared between states, counties, or provinces.
Examples: The United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, and Spain

9. Unitary Governments

10. Confederal
A voluntary association of independent states that agrees to follow a central government.
States can choose to follow or not follow the lead of the central government
Examples: CSA, Russian Federation

11. Federal Power is shared by a central government
States or Provinces are given considerable self-rule, usually through their own legislatures.
Examples, the United States and Germany

12. Federal Governments

13. Systems of Government

15. Types of government are based on one question…
…Who governs and what is the citizenship participation?
There are three types of government:
Autocracy
Oligarchy
Democracy

16. Autocracy
Government in which the power to govern is held by one person
Generally the power to rule is inherited or by military force
There are three types of autocracy
Example: Iraq, and Great Britain
Dictatorship- absolute rule generally by force
Absolute Monarchy-absolute rule inherited through family ties
Constitutional Monarchy-share power with elected officials, seen for as figurehead with limited to no power

17. Oligarchy
A government in which a few people such as a dominate clan or clique hold all the power
The group gets their power through either military, wealth, or social status
Elections may be held but offer only one candidate
Examples: Greek-City states, Russian Federation.

18. Democracy Two forms of democracy Ruled by the people
Individual freedom and equality is valued
Free elections are held
Decisions are based on majority rule
Citizens vote by secret ballot
Example: the United States
Two forms of democracy
Direct Democracy- People vote on all issues
Representative Democracy (Republic)- citizens elect representatives and give them the power to vote on the issues

20. Two Major Types of Democratic Governments
Parliamentary
Presidential
Voters elect members to Parliament
House of Commons-the Political Party with the most votes in the House of Commons chooses the Prime Minister, the government’s leader with no set length of term
House of Lords: little power with most members being nobles having inherited their titles
Voters elect legislatures
Voter elect (indirectly) the president
Therefore, in the presidential system voters have a more direct say about those who serve in two branches of the government
Legislative
Executive