Government Standard SS6CG4 SS6CG4 The student will compare and contrast various forms of government a. Describe the ways government systems distribute power: unitary, confederation, and federal. b. Explain how governments determine citizen participation: autocratic, oligarchic, and democratic. c. Describe the two predominant forms of democratic governments: parliamentary and presidential.

What is government? Make laws or rules people must follow. Make sure laws are carried out. Settle disagreements about the laws. Oversee the welfare of its people.

Classifying Governments Geographic Distribution of Power Relationship between Legislative & Executive Branches Number of People Who Can Participate

Government Distribution of Power the relationship between the national or central government and the smaller governmental divisions (states, provinces, counties and cities).

Unitary Government Oldest Most Common One Central Power all key powers being held by the central government Examples: Cuba and the United Kingdom

Confederate Government state/regional authorities holding most of the power. Weak Central Government Individual states/local governments autonomous (independent) Local governments join or withdraw by choice! Example: European Union

Federal Systems Power is shared between a central government and local governments. Some powers re-side with the central government, some powers reside with the regional governments, and some powers are shared. The central government is supreme! Examples: Australia, Germany, Russia, Canada, Brazil, Mexico

Citizen Participation Voting Rights for all citizens. Limited rights for citizens. No rights for citizens.

Autocracy Government by a single person having unlimited power; despotism (domination through threat of punishment and violence) . dictators maintain their position via inheritance or military power, the citizen has little, if any, role in the government. People who try to speak out against the government are often silenced through use of power.

Oligarchy A government in which a few people such as a dominant clan or clique have power. Communist countries are mostly oligarchies. The citizen has a very limited role in government.

Democracy In a democracy, the government is elected by the people. Everyone who is eligible to vote has a chance to have their say over who runs the country. It is distinct from governments controlled by a particular social class or group (aristocracy; oligarchy) or by a single person (despotism; dictatorship; monarchy). A democracy is determined either directly or through elected representatives.

Forms of Democracy Presidential (USA) a system of government in which the president is constitutionally independent of the legislature. Parliamentary (UK) A system where the legislature controls the power.

Presidential v Parliamentary System Presidential: Set term Parliamentary: No term or limit on term Presidential: an independent executive, separation of powers Parliamentary: Member of Legislative branch Presidential: Elected by the people Parliamentary: Chosen by the majority party in Parliament Presidential: Leader answers to the people Parliamentary: Leader answers to the Parliament Presidential: checks and balances Parliamentary: Legislature controls power