1. Civics Chapter 1, Section 2
Forms of Government
Civics
Chapter 1, Section 2

2. Main idea
Different forms of government are categorized based on who exercises authority and how power is organized

3. Classic forms of government: Monarchy
ruled by a monarch, usually a king or queen, power is inherited, have unlimited power, Most common form of rule in world history; today they are rare
Is an example of an autocracy
ex: Jordan

4. Constitutional Monarchy
power is limited by law, real power lies in another branch, may coexist with other forms of government such as representative democracy
ex: United Kingdom

5. Dictatorship
Single dictator or small group holds absolute authority and makes all decisions, Violence and force used to maintain rule
Ex: Cuba
Dictators often achieve power by violently overthrowing a government. The maintain power by force, stifling even peaceful opposition with varying degrees of repression and brutality.

6. Totalitarian Regimes
Dictator holds ultimate authority, Government tightly controls all aspects of life-political, social, economic
No formal or informal limits on government
Ex: North Korea

7. Oligarchy/Aristocracy
Small group of powerful people make most government decisions for their own benefit
ruling group may be based on wealth, family, or military power
Ex: ancient Greece (Sparta)

8. Theocracy
Rulers claim to represent and be directed by a set of religious ideas
Government power in unlimited
Ex: Iran

9. Direct Democracy
Government by the people; citizens are the ultimate source of government authority
Citizens discuss and pass laws, select leaders
Works best in small communities
Ex: ancient Greece (Athens)

10. Republic/Representative Democracy
Government by the people; citizens are the ultimate source of government authority
Indirect form of democracy; citizens elect representatives to make government decisions on their behalf
Representatives elected for set terms
Ex: ancient Rome, United States

11. Power in 3 systems of government
unitary system: central government has power and makes decisions, regional governments carry out decisions. Ex: U.K., Japan
federal system: National, state and federal governments share power. Ex: U.S., India
confederal system: Central government only has powers given to it by the states. Ex: U.S. under Articles of Confederation, European Union

12. presidential system
President is head of executive branch of government, is elected by the people, is head of state, head of armed forces, can veto laws from congress
Only congress can declare war
Must have cooperation to achieve results

13. Presidential system: advantages/disadvantages
Advantages: is elected by the people; separation of powers prevents abuses of authority; independent of other branches of government; can make decisions quickly and independently
Disadvantages: difficult to remove him; separation of powers may lead to gridlock; branches of government may have different agendas; president may become too strong; many become authoritarian

14. Parliamentary system
Most of world’s democracies modeled after the British system
The Prime Minister is elected by Parliament, and is the leader of the majority party
Combining the executive and legislative branches gets things done, but, they do not keep each other in check

15. Parliamentary System advantages/disadvantages
Advantages: legislative and executive branches are often united in purpose; prime minister directly accountable to parliament; easier to pass legislation
Disadvantages: few checks and balances; Prime Minister selected by the legislative branch, not by the people; Prime Minister lacks independence