Types of Governments and Distribution of Power Social Studies Online Presentation Grade 7

Compare & Contrast Various Forms of Government Describe the ways government systems distribute power: unitary, confederation, and federal SS7 – CG1a, CG4a, CG6a

Government systems distribute power in different ways: unitary confederation federal

Unitary Central government has control over local forms of government (states, counties, or provinces). Power is not shared between states, counties, or provinces

Confederation A weak or loose organization of states that agree to follow a central government Central government has limited power Central government concentrates on defense and trade

Federal Power is divided between central government and states or provinces States or provinces given considerable self rule, usually through their own legislatures

Compare & Contrast Various Forms of Government Explain how governments determine citizen participation: autocratic, oligarchic, and democratic. SS7 – CG1b, CG4b, CG6b

How Governments Determine Citizen Participation High Participation High Participation General Citizens’ Participation Government Power Government Power Select Citizens’ Participation Citizen Participation Government Power Citizen Participation Low or No Participation Low or No Participation Low or No Participation Autocratic Oligarchic Democracy

Democracy In a democracy, the government is controlled by the people. (True Democracy) A democracy can also be controlled either directly or through elected representatives. (Republic) an Example: Israel

Republic People elect representatives and give them power to vote on issues Citizens involved through their representatives, lobbying, and voting

Autocracy One person possesses unlimited power. The citizen has limited, if any, role in government. Examples: Dictatorship, Totalitarianism

Totalitarian and dictatorship This is a country with only one political party. People are forced to do what the government tells them and may also be prevented from leaving the country. Dictatorship- A country ruled by a single leader. The leader has not been elected and may use force to keep control. In a military dictatorship, the army is in control. Totalitarian and dictatorship

Oligarchy Government by the few. Sometimes a small group exercises control, especially for corrupt and selfish purposes. The citizen has a very limited role.

Theocracy A type of government in which one or more religious leaders exercise political power Religious law is dominant over civil law In Iran the religious leaders have governmental and cultural control.

Monarchy A monarchy has a king, queen, emperor or empress. The ruling position can be passed on to the ruler’s heirs. Absolute Monarchy: King of Saudi Arabia has absolute power. Constitutional Monarchy: like the UK, also has a democratic government that limits the monarch's control.

Compare & Contrast Various Forms of Government Describe the two predominant forms of democratic governments: Parliamentary & Presidential SS7 – CG1c, CG4c, CG6c

Democracy Parliamentary Democracy- A system of government having the real executive power vested in a cabinet composed of members of the legislature. May have a Prime Minister elected by the legislature. Presidential Democracy- A system of government in which the president is constitutionally independent of the legislature. The executive branch exists separately from the legislature (to which it is generally not accountable).

Revolutionary If a government is overthrown by force, the new ruling group is sometimes called a revolutionary government.

Anarchy Anarchy is a situation where there is no government. This can happen after a civil war in a country, when a government has been destroyed and rival groups are fighting to take its place. Anarchists are people who believe that government is a bad thing in that it stops people organizing their own lives.