Formations of Governments Types of Government Democracy

Objectives Be able to explain the difference between a UNITARY system of government and a FEDERAL system of government Be able to identify and explain what a constitution is Be able to explain the difference between a nation with a constitution and a nation that has a constitutional government Be able to identify major types of government Be able to determine the difference between a direct democracy and an indirect or representative democracy

Unitary vs. Federal Unitary Sytem Federal System All key powers & authority given to a national or central government Federal System Divides the powers of government between the national (federal) government and state or provinces Each level of government has some sovereignty United States is has a federal system

Constitutions & Government A plan that provides the rules for government Organizes the structure of government and how it operates Sets goals and purposes of government and the ideals of a Nation’s people Provide the supreme law for states and their governments Constitutional governments are governments that have the authority to limit the power of the those who govern (limited government)

Constitutions compared United States vs. China The U.S. has a constitutional government in which the authority of our government is limited by checks and balances and separation of powers People’s Republic of China has a constitution, but the central government has complete control and basically unlimited power

The U.S. Constitution organizes our government into 3 branches of government Each of the branches have separate but mostly equal powers and perform checks and balances on each other

China Tiananmen Square protests of 1989: Students wanted more democracy

In a Unitary system of government who maintains control? Unitary system: all powers and authority are given to the central, or national government -North Korea In a Federal system of government? Federal system: power is divided between national (federal) government and state/provincial governments -United States

Major Types of Government Governments are classified according to who governs the state. Coming from ideas of ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle 1) autocracy- rule by one person 2) oligarchy- rule by a few persons 3) democracy- rule by many people

www.constitutioncenter.org/timeline/flash/ass... /////// 1999

Autocracy Gov’t is in the hands of a single person Most have their position by inheritance or ruthless use of military power. Totalitarian dictatorship- the ideas of a single leader are glorified & gov’t controls all aspects of social and economic life. Monarchy- king, queen or emperor exercises the supreme powers of gov’t.

Autocracy Absolute monarchs have complete and unlimited power to rule their people Constitutional monarchs- monarchs share gov’t powers with elected legislators or are mainly ceremonial leaders of their gov’t

Oligarchy Oligarchy- a small group holds power, usually gets power from wealth, military power, social position or combination Today most communist gov’t are oligarchies Oligarchies usually suppress all political opposition

Democracy Democracy comes from Greek “demos” and “kratia” or “kratos” Demos = people Kratia or kratos = rule Direct democracy- the people govern themselves by voting on issues individually as citizens. Exists in small societies Indirect or representative democracy consists of representatives elected by the people to make laws and run the government

Direct vs. Indirect or Representative Democracy Which type of democracy does the U.S. have? Indirect or Representative Democracy Why isnt the U.S. a direct democracy?

Characteristics of Democracy Gov’t works to secure an equal opportunity for people to develop their own abilities Majority rule with minority rights- Gov’t based on majority rule through the people’s elected representatives, but respects the rights of minorities laws made usually represent the will of the majority, but the rights of individuals in the minority should still be protected Gov’t based on free and open elections Political parties choose candidates for office, and once candidates are elected, should represent the peoples’ wishes, or ideals

Quick Quiz A government in which all powers and authority are given to the central, or national government is known as: Federal Unitary Democracy None of the above

A plan that provides the rules for government and organizes the structure of government and how it operates is known as a: constitution monarchy oligarchy Autocracy None of the above

3. All of the following are types of governments EXCEPT: Democracy Autocracy Oligarchy Constitution None of the above

4. A government that has the authority to limit the power of the those who govern (limited government) is known as: China North Korea Constitutional government Autocracy

In a ____________ democracy the people govern themselves by voting on issues individually as citizens. Exists in small societies In a _____________ democracy representatives elected by the people to make laws and run the government