Government Systems and Forms Classification Systems

Types and Forms of Governments Aristotle

Aristotle Autocracy Oligarchy Democracy

Types of Government Autocracy Any system of government in which power and authority to rule are in the hands of a single individual Totalitarian dictatorship – the ideas of a single leader or group are glorified The government seeks to control all aspects of social and economic life (Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin

Monarchy King or Queen or Emperor exercise the supreme powers of government Absolute monarchs have complete and unlimited power to rule their people Rare today (Saudi Arabia) but most of Western Europe between 1400 to 1700s were ruled by absolute monarchs Constitutional monarchs share the governments powers with elected legislatures or serve as ceremonial heads of their governments

Oligarchy A system of government in which a small group hold power The group derives its power from wealth, military power, social position, or a combination of elements Sometimes the source of power is religion (Theocracy) Oligarchies and dictatorships claim to rule for the people and may have legislatures and hold elections

Democracy A system of government in which rule is by the people Government by the many in contrast to government by the few People hold sovereign power Lincoln - “government of the people, by the people, and for the people”

Three Ways to Classify Governments Who can participate Who or How Many? Geographic Distribution of Power Where is the Power? Relationship Between Legislative and Executive Branches Legislative/Executive Split?

Who can Participate? The many - Democracy Lincoln – “ Government of the people, by the people , and for the people” Democracy Direct or Indirect Direct is also called Pure Democracy Where the will of the people is translated into public policy by the people themselves (New England town meetings & Landsgemeinde in the Swiss cantons) Indirect – Representative Democracy A small group of persons chosen by the people to act as their representatives express the popular will. They conduct daily business, execute the laws and are held accountable through elections

A Few – Dictatorship Autocracy Oligarchy All dictatorships are authoritarian – hold absolute and unchallengeable authority over the people – modern dictatorships tend to be totalitarian

Geographic Distribution of Power In every government power is located in one or more places geographically From this standpoint, three basic forms of government exist: Unitary - All key powers belong to a single, central agency Federal – Powers are divided between a central government and several local governments (division of powers on a geographic basis) The Constitution stands above both levels of government

Confederate - Independent states joined together for limited purposes In the U.S. the phrase Federal Government refers to the National Government In the U.S. the States create local governments – Each State is a unitary government Confederate - Independent states joined together for limited purposes Central government only handles those affairs assigned to it –states retain their identity Confederations are rare European Union, Confederate States of America, and Articles of Confederation

Legislative / Executive Split? Are the legislative and executive branches separate and independent? Presidential Government The branches are separate and independent CEO is chosen independently - has a fixed term – broad powers – not subject to direct control of the legislature

Parliamentary Government The executive branch is made up of the Prime Minister or Premier, and the officials making up the cabinet The Prime Minister and cabinet members are members of the legislative branch The Prime minister is the leader of the majority party or coalition (an alliance of several groups to form a working majority) Executive is chosen by the legislature

The Prime Minister and his cabinet are referred to as the “government” The Government remain in power as long as it has the confidence of the majority An example of a parliamentary government is Great Britain, Canada, Japan, and a majority of nations have a parliamentary government