Forms of Government CHAPTER 1, SECTION 2

Vocabulary Autocracy Oligarchy Unitary government Federal government Division of powers Confederation Presidential government Parliamentary government

Classifying Government Participation Democracy People hold the sovereign power and the government is conducted only by and with the consent of the people Direct: Town Hall Meeting Indirect: Representative Committees

Classifying Government Participation Dictatorship Rulers are not responsible to the will of the people Autocracy: single person holds unlimited power Oligarchy: power held by a small usually self-appointed elite Authoritarian Absolute and unchallengeable authority over the people Totalitarian Exercises complete power over nearly every aspect of human affairs Modern examples: Fascist Italy, People’s Republic of China, Libya (Kaddafi) Militaristic

Classifying Government Geographic Distribution of Power Unitary Single, centralized agency Federal Divided and reciprocal power Confederation No central agency

Classifying Government Relationship between legislature and executive branches Presidential Separate, independent of one another, coequal Chosen independently of legislature; holds office for a fixed term; not subject to direct control of legislature Checks and balances Separation of powers Parliamentary Executive and cabinet are part of legislature Prime minister is leader of majority party or coalition; subject to direct control Rules with support of majority in parliament; flexible terms (“vote of no confidence”); elected by Parliament

Basic Concepts of Democracy Foundations Worth of the Individual Equality of all persons Majority Rule, Minority Rights Necessity of Compromise Individual Freedom WORTH OF THE INDIVIDUAL EQUALITY OF ALL PERSONS MAJORITY RULE, MONORITY RIGHTS NECESSITY OF COMPORMISE INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS DEMOCRACY

Basic Concepts of Democracy Democracy and the Free Enterprise System Free Enterprise Characterized by private ownership of capital goods, investments, made by private decision, success or failure determined by competition in the market Four fundamental factors of support Private ownership Individual initiative Profit Competition How it works Private, market-based system Individual decision making Socialism Government regulation and promotion of market decisions Mixed Economy Private enterprise exists in combination with government regulation and promotion PRIVATE OWNERSHIP INDIVIDUAL INITIATIVE PROFIT COMPETITION FREE ENTERPRISE

Homework Go Online Activity Principles in Government Types of Governments Read about the various types of governments, including democratic, dictatorial, and parliamentary Create your own chart comparing governments. Include at least five categories: type of leader, economy, and governing body Use the worksheet to report what you've learned from this activity