Types of Government

All government power is held by the national government Chapter Systems of Government -What level of government has power—national or a lesser level, determines the system of government that a nation uses 1. Unitary System All government power is held by the national government Also called centralized Examples: Italy, Great Britain, France 2. Confederate System Most government power is held by the states/provinces Page 1

A loose alliance of smaller governments Chapter (Continued) A loose alliance of smaller governments States do give up some power in order to form a national government No nations currently use a confederate system 3. Federal System Government power is shared between the national and state/provincial level Examples: U.S., Australia, Germany, India, Mexico Page 2

A single person holds power Chapter Forms of Government -Who has power—individuals or groups, determines the form of government that a nation uses Autocracy A single person holds power Power is usually inherited or kept by force, i.e. dictatorships and monarchies Totalitarian Dictatoryship Examples: Saudi Arabia (absolute monarchy), North Korea (dictatorship) Page 3

2. Oligarchy “Rule by the Few” A few individuals hold power Chapter (Continued) 2. Oligarchy “Rule by the Few” A few individuals hold power Wealth and military power usually influence who the oligarchs will be Examples: China, Japan (before and during WWII) Communism-Cuba 3. Democracy- “Rule by the Many” All individuals hold power, usually in the form of voting Direct, Representative, “Republic” Example Nations: U.S., Ireland, Australia, many more Page 4