1. Types of Governments and Distribution of Power
Social Studies Online Presentation
Grade 7

2. Compare & Contrast Various Forms of Government
Describe the ways government systems distribute power: unitary, confederation, and federal
SS7 – CG1a, CG4a, CG6a

3. Government systems distribute power in different ways: unitary confederation federal

4. Unitary
Central government has control over local forms of government (states, counties, or provinces).
Power is not shared between states, counties, or provinces

5. Confederation
A weak or loose organization of states that agree to follow a central government
Central government has limited power
Central government concentrates on defense and trade

6. Federal
Power is divided between central government and states or provinces
States or provinces given considerable self rule, usually through their own legislatures

7. Compare & Contrast Various Forms of Government
Explain how governments determine citizen participation: autocratic, oligarchic, and democratic.
SS7 – CG1b, CG4b, CG6b

8. How Governments Determine Citizen Participation
High Participation
High Participation
General Citizens’ Participation
Government Power
Government Power
Select Citizens’ Participation
Citizen Participation
Government Power
Citizen Participation
Low or No Participation
Low or No Participation
Low or No Participation
Autocratic
Oligarchic
Democracy

9. Democracy
In a democracy, the government is controlled by the people. (True Democracy)
A democracy can also be controlled either directly or through elected representatives. (Republic) an Example: Israel

10. Republic
People elect representatives and give them power to vote on issues
Citizens involved through their representatives, lobbying, and voting

11. Autocracy One person possesses unlimited power.
The citizen has limited, if any, role in government.
Examples: Dictatorship, Totalitarianism

12. Totalitarian and dictatorship
This is a country with only one political party.
People are forced to do what the government tells them and may also be prevented from leaving the country.
Dictatorship-
A country ruled by a single leader. The leader has not been elected and may use force to keep control.
In a military dictatorship, the army is in control.
Totalitarian and dictatorship

13. Oligarchy Government by the few.
Sometimes a small group exercises control, especially for corrupt and selfish purposes.
The citizen has a very limited role.

14. Theocracy
A type of government in which one or more religious leaders exercise political power
Religious law is dominant over civil law
In Iran the religious leaders have governmental and cultural control.

15. Monarchy
A monarchy has a king, queen, emperor or empress.
The ruling position can be passed on to the ruler’s heirs.
Absolute Monarchy:
King of Saudi Arabia has absolute power.
Constitutional Monarchy:
like the UK, also has a democratic government that limits the monarch's control.

16. Compare & Contrast Various Forms of Government
Describe the two predominant forms of democratic governments: Parliamentary & Presidential
SS7 – CG1c, CG4c, CG6c

17. Democracy Parliamentary Democracy-
A system of government having the real executive power vested in a cabinet composed of members of the legislature.
May have a Prime Minister elected by the legislature.
Presidential Democracy-
A system of government in which the president is constitutionally independent of the legislature.
The executive branch exists separately from the legislature (to which it is generally not accountable).

18. Revolutionary
If a government is overthrown by force, the new ruling group is sometimes called a revolutionary government.

19. Anarchy Anarchy is a situation where there is no government.
This can happen after a civil war in a country, when a government has been destroyed and rival groups are fighting to take its place.
Anarchists are people who believe that government is a bad thing in that it stops people organizing their own lives.