Government Forms of Government 1.2

Classifying “For forms of government let fools contest: Whate’er is best administer’d is best. “For forms of government let fools contest: Whate’er is best administer’d is best. - Alexander Pope

Classifying 1. Distribution of power 1. Distribution of power 2. Relationship between the legislative and executive branches 2. Relationship between the legislative and executive branches 3. The number of persons who can take part in the process of government. 3. The number of persons who can take part in the process of government.

Unitary Government A centralized government A centralized government The central gov’t creates local units of gov’t for its own convenience The central gov’t creates local units of gov’t for its own convenience It is close to a dictatorship except: It is close to a dictatorship except: The central government most likely does NOT hold all of the power The central government most likely does NOT hold all of the power Many times governments are unitary with a pinch of democracy Many times governments are unitary with a pinch of democracy State governments State governments

Federal Government Powers are divided between central and localized governments. Powers are divided between central and localized governments. There is an underlying division of power There is an underlying division of power The Constitution The Constitution Both levels of gov’t act directly on the people Both levels of gov’t act directly on the people This type is used in the United States This type is used in the United States

Confederate Government An alliance of independent states An alliance of independent states The central body of this gov’t acts only on the tasks assigned to it The central body of this gov’t acts only on the tasks assigned to it United States: Under the Articles of Confederation (A of C) and during the Civil War United States: Under the Articles of Confederation (A of C) and during the Civil War This is a rare form of gov’t This is a rare form of gov’t Most recently in the old USSR Most recently in the old USSR

Presidential Government One of the two basic forms of gov’t One of the two basic forms of gov’t 1. Separation of powers (executive and legislative branches) – coequal branches 1. Separation of powers (executive and legislative branches) – coequal branches 2. Checks and balances 2. Checks and balances 3. Often, a document of some sort serves as the basis of separation 3. Often, a document of some sort serves as the basis of separation

Parliamentary Government The second of the basic forms The second of the basic forms 1. Headed by a prime minister or premier and their cabinet. 1. Headed by a prime minister or premier and their cabinet. 2. They are part of the parliament (legislative branch). 2. They are part of the parliament (legislative branch). 3. The executive branch is chosen by the legislative, therefore is an acting part of it but also chosen by it 3. The executive branch is chosen by the legislative, therefore is an acting part of it but also chosen by it 4. Vote of no confidence – no terms 4. Vote of no confidence – no terms

Number Who Can Participate Dictatorships – those who rule cannot be held responsible for the will of the people Dictatorships – those who rule cannot be held responsible for the will of the people Oldest and most common form Oldest and most common form Do what’s best for the state Do what’s best for the state All are authoritarian All are authoritarian Many are totalitarian as well Many are totalitarian as well Many are militaristic in nature and deceiving Many are militaristic in nature and deceiving

Who Can Participate Democracy – political authority rests with the people Democracy – political authority rests with the people “Government of the people, by the people, for the people” - Abe Lincoln “Government of the people, by the people, for the people” - Abe Lincoln 1. Direct Democracy – 1. Direct Democracy – 2. Representative Democracy – 2. Representative Democracy –

Democracy or Republic? Republic – sovereign power exists with the people who vote and then representatives exercise the power of the people Republic – sovereign power exists with the people who vote and then representatives exercise the power of the people These words generally mean the same thing: These words generally mean the same thing: Democracy Democracy Republic Republic Representative Democracy Representative Democracy Republican form of Government Republican form of Government In a democracy the people RULE! In a democracy the people RULE!