Government classifications: Governments are classified two ways Power Distribution- What part of the government has the power to make decisions. Citizen Participation- How the people of a country participates in running the country. *Governments are divided into central government and regional (Local & state) governments.

Key Terms Head of State Head of Government Represents the state (country) at official ceremonies but not involved in day-to-day politics Top leader who manages day-to- day activities of the government

Power Distribution Unitary – the Central government holds nearly all the power in making laws and how the government operates (Example: Saudi Arabia) Federal – power is shared between the central and local/regional governments (Example: Israel) Confederation – local governments have all the power and the central government depends on the local governments for its existence (Example: OPEC or Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries)

Ways Government Distributes Power Regional Authority Regional Authority Central Authority Regional Authority Regional Authority

Ways Government Distributes Power Regional Authority Regional Authority Central Authority Regional Authority Regional Authority

Ways Government Distributes Power Regional Authority Regional Authority Central Authority Regional Authority Regional Authority

Role of Citizen – Who rules Autocratic – One ruler has absolute power to do whatever he wishes and makes whatever laws he chooses. Citizens have little to no rights and cannot vote for which laws are made (Ex: Saudi Arabia) Oligarchy – “government by the few” Small groups (sometimes political parties) have the power. Citizens again have little to no rights except to go along with the small group’s decisions. (Ex: Iran) Democratic – The people have the power to create laws and VOTE for who they want to govern. (Ex: Israel)

Presidential vs. Parliamentary Head of Government is directly elected by the citizens Executive branch is SEPARATE from the Legislative branch Presidents have set terms with specified years Head of Government is elected by the legislative branch The Executive branch is COMBINED with the legislative branch This is because the Prime Minister is elected from the Legislative Branch (Parliament) Prime Ministers can be in power for as long as their political party is in power

Democracy Monarchy Dictatorship Theocracy Oligarchy How leaders take Power People’s Freedoms Economic Control Country with this government

Iran Elected Passed Down Take power by force or are elected Democracy Monarchy Dictatorship Autocracy Theocracy Oligarchy How leaders take Power Elected Passed Down Take power by force or are elected Religious leaders are approved Through tradition or by force People’s Freedoms Many Vary Few Economic Control Little government control Control by Government Control by government Country with this government Israel (A true Republic) Saudi Arabia Iraq (was), Sudan, North Korea Iran, Afghanistan under the Taliban Iran