1. Forms of Governments

2. To study governments, geographers look at the following: Types – Who rules and who participates? Systems – How the POWER is distributed?

3. Types of Government are based on one key question: Who governs and what is the citizen participation ? There are three types of governments: Autocracy, Oligarchy, and Democracy

4. Government in which the power to govern is held by one person or group without the participation, or sometimes even the consent of the people. Generally the power to rule is inherited or taken by military force. Two types of autocracies follow. The word “autocracy” the opposite of democracy, comes from the Greek words: “autos” meaning “self” and “kratos” meaning “power.” Autocracy

5. #1 Dictatorship The leader has not been elected and uses force to control all aspects of social and economic life. Examples: Adolf Hitler in Germany and Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union

6. #2 Absolute Monarchy A monarchy has a king, queen, emperor or empress. The power is usually inherited or passed down from family members. The monarch has absolute power meaning they can make all decisions without consulting anyone. Brunei, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Vatican City.

7. Oligarchy A government in which a few people such as a dominant clan or clique have power. The group gets their power from either military, wealth or social status. Elections may be held but offer only one candidate. Example: Greek city states Caudillos Caudillos - those who owned large estates throughout the land. Sparta The word “oligarchy” is from the Greek words for “few” and “rule.”

8. Democracy In a democracy, the government is “Ruled by the people.” The supreme power is held by the people, but which is usually exercised indirectly through a system of representation. There are two forms of democracy Direct Democracy – People vote on all the issues. Representative Democracy – People elect representatives and give them the power to vote on issues. Example: United States

9. Democracy When citizens directly participate in gov’t. by voting, it’s called democracy. The word “democracy” comes from two Greek words: “demos” meaning “people” and “kratos” meaning “power” or “authority.” The United States has had the same type of gov’t. for more than 200 yrs. It’s called a “representative democracy.” Among the nations of the world, it is unusual for a system of gov’t. to last so long.

10. In a democracy…. Individual freedom and equality is valued. Free elections are held Decisions are based on majority rule. All candidates can express their views freely. Citizens vote by secret ballot.

11. How Governments Determine Citizen Participation High Participation Government Power Citizen Participation Low or No Participation Select Citizens’ Participation Government Power Select Citizens’ Participation General Citizens’ Participation Low or No Participati on Government Power Citizen Participation Low or No Participation AutocraticOligarchicDemocracy

12. Democratic Governments There are two major kinds of democratic governments: Parliamentary Presidential

13. Parliamentary Democracy Voters elect members to the Parliament (legislature) Parliament has two Houses: House of Commons: The Political Party with the most votes in the House of Commons chooses the Prime Minister, the government’s leader with no set length of term. House of Lords or Senate: Little power with most members being nobles having inherited their titles.

14. Elizabeth II Elizabeth II Queen: Head of State David Cameron Prime Minister: Head of Government Parliament: Legislature The majority party controls the government. Canada United Kingdom NorwayNetherlandsAustralia

15. Presidential Democracy Voters elect legislators Voters elect (indirectly) the president. Therefore, in the presidential system voters have a more direct say about those who serve in two branches of the government : Legislative Executive

16. We are appointed by the president with the approval of Congress We are elected By the people. I’m elected by the people The three branches of the U.S. government check and balance each other.

17. Parliamentary System Presidential System Executive Legislative Citizens Citizens Legislative Executive Elect Elect Select Elect

18. Systems of Government are based on one question: How is the power distributed? There are three ways governments distribute power: Unitary Confederation Federal

19. Unitary One central government controls everything. Power is not shared between states, counties or provinces, but power can be given to lower levels. Power can change or be taken back at any time. Examples : United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, and Spain

20. Central Authority Unitary Ways Government Distributes Power Regional Authority

21. Confederation A voluntary association of independent states that agrees to follow a central government. All participants are equal (Partnership) Nations can choose to follow or not follow the lead of the weak central government. Examples: Confederate States of America ( 1861-1865), Russian Federation. British Commonwealth of Nations

22. Central Authority Confederation Ways Government Distributes Power Regional Authority

23. Federal Power is shared by a powerful central government. States or provinces are given considerable self rule, usually through their own legislatures. Power cannot be taken away. Examples: United States, Germany

24. Federation / Federal Ways Government Distributes Power Regional Authority Central Authority Regional Authority

25. How is the power distributed? Federal Shared power Unitary Confederation All key powers are held by the central government State/regional authorities hold most of the power Strong central government Weaker central government

26. Putting it all together…. The United Kingdom is an autocratic constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy and a unitary system. The United States is a presidential democracy with a federal system. What do those statements mean?

27. What do you remember? What are the three types of governments? What are the three systems of government? Autocracy, Oligarchy, and Democracy Unitary, Confederation, and Federal