1. Intro to Government

2. Government Defined
The institution through which a society makes and enforces public policy

3. Two Primary forms of Government
Dictatorship
A form of government in which the leader has absolute power and authority
Democracy
A form of government in which the supreme authority rests with the people

4. Types of Democracy Representative Democracy Direct Democracy
citizens elect officials to represent them in government
A Republic
Direct Democracy
Voters in a community meet in one place to make laws and decide actions

5. America’s Three Levels of Government
Local Gov’t
Counties, cities, towns, townships, villages, school boards, zoning boards
State Gov’t
The gov’ts of the 50 states
Located in the state capital
Federal Gov’t
Located in Washington, D.C.

6. Federal, State, Local Political Cartoon
Using your own knowledge and experiences with the various levels of government, you are going to create a political cartoon depicting the relationship between the various levels of government.
You will have 20 minutes to create your cartoon
Be creative

12. On the back of your cartoon create a list of you and your families needs, issues or problems

13. How are these needs, issues or problems met?