1. Elements of a Democracy

2. Authentic competition for all positions of power including the head of the government Free and independent elections-popular sovereignty

3. Constitutionalism-written or unwritten that follows a rule of law British-Unwritten 1. Historical Documents 2. Acts of Parliament 3. Common Law Precedents 4. Customs U.S.-Written 1. Separation of Powers- Legislative, Executive, Judicial 2. Checks and Balances on the Power 3. Independent Judiciary with Constitutional Review

4. Guaranteed citizenship in any of the three types of government structures 1. Unitary 2. Federal 3. Confederation

5. Unitary 1. Power given to a central government that can create/destroy local governments 2. Examples: Most European countries

6. Confederation 1. Most power stays in the hands of local government with the central government created for a common good 2. Central government is created by the local and can be destroyed by the local 3. Examples: Articles of Confederation in United States and the Russian Federation

7. Federal 1. Power is divided between a national or central government and independent states 2. Example of national government’s powers-declare war/coin money 3. Examples of state powers-public safety of citizens/conduct elections 4. Examples: U.S., Canada, Mexico

8. Basic civil and political liberties guaranteed Creates a limited government and a rule of law to be followed by all