Who Has the Power? SS6CG1, SS6CG4, SS6CG6 The student will compare and contrast various forms of government. (a) Describe the ways government systems distribute power: unitary, confederation, and federal.

First of all…what is government?

Government a body with the authority to make, enforce, and interpret laws for a country or area. The basic purpose of government is to keep order, provide services, and to protect the common good or the well-being of the people.

Governments distribute their power through three basic systems: Think….UFC

No, not that UFC!!

UFC U nitary F ederal C onfederation

Unitary * a central government makes all laws for the entire country * stronger than federal central governments * Ex: France, Italy, Japan, South Korea, and Kenya.

Federal * power is divided among: central regional local governments * Ex: United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. When writing how the power is divided, please write each on its on line.

The Federal Government is divided into three levels of government. Central = responsible for national affairs. Example: US Capitol Regional = includes state or provincial governments. Example: Georgia State Capitol Local = includes county, city and town governments. Example: Polk County Courthouse

Confederation * a group of independent states join together and give limited powers to a common government * can be unstable * rare form of government * Ex: the confederate States of America and the British Commonwealth of Nations

Who Has the Power? Ok… now let’s review… What is government? A government is a body with the authority to make, enforce, and interpret laws for a country or area. Governments distribute their power through three basic systems, what are they? Think UFC… Unitary, Federal, Confederation What are the three levels of the federal government? Central, Regional, Local

Who has the power in a Unitary system? The central government does! Who has the power in a Federal system? Power is divided between the central government and the government of smaller political units like states. Who has the power in a Confederation system? A group of independent states join together and give limited powers to a common government.