1. Government Systems and Forms
Classification Systems

2. Types and Forms of Governments
Aristotle

3. Aristotle
Autocracy
Oligarchy
Democracy

4. Types of Government Autocracy
Any system of government in which power and authority to rule are in the hands of a single individual
Totalitarian dictatorship – the ideas of a single leader or group are glorified
The government seeks to control all aspects of social and economic life (Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin

5. Monarchy
King or Queen or Emperor exercise the supreme powers of government
Absolute monarchs have complete and unlimited power to rule their people
Rare today (Saudi Arabia) but most of Western Europe between 1400 to 1700s were ruled by absolute monarchs
Constitutional monarchs share the governments powers with elected legislatures or serve as ceremonial heads of their governments

6. Oligarchy A system of government in which a small group hold power
The group derives its power from wealth, military power, social position, or a combination of elements
Sometimes the source of power is religion (Theocracy)
Oligarchies and dictatorships claim to rule for the people and may have legislatures and hold elections

7. Democracy A system of government in which rule is by the people
Government by the many in contrast to government by the few
People hold sovereign power
Lincoln - “government of the people, by the people, and for the people”

8. Three Ways to Classify Governments
Who can participate
Who or How Many?
Geographic Distribution of Power
Where is the Power?
Relationship Between Legislative and Executive Branches
Legislative/Executive Split?

9. Who can Participate? The many - Democracy
Lincoln – “ Government of the people, by the people , and for the people”
Democracy Direct or Indirect
Direct is also called Pure Democracy
Where the will of the people is translated into public policy by the people themselves (New England town meetings & Landsgemeinde in the Swiss cantons)
Indirect – Representative Democracy
A small group of persons chosen by the people to act as their representatives express the popular will. They conduct daily business, execute the laws and are held accountable through elections

10. A Few – Dictatorship Autocracy Oligarchy
All dictatorships are authoritarian – hold absolute and unchallengeable authority over the people – modern dictatorships tend to be totalitarian

11. Geographic Distribution of Power
In every government power is located in one or more places geographically
From this standpoint, three basic forms of government exist:
Unitary - All key powers belong to a single, central agency
Federal – Powers are divided between a central government and several local governments (division of powers on a geographic basis)
The Constitution stands above both levels of government

12. Confederate - Independent states joined together for limited purposes
In the U.S. the phrase Federal Government refers to the National Government
In the U.S. the States create local governments – Each State is a unitary government
Confederate - Independent states joined together for limited purposes
Central government only handles those affairs assigned to it –states retain their identity
Confederations are rare European Union, Confederate States of America, and Articles of Confederation

13. Legislative / Executive Split?
Are the legislative and executive branches separate and independent?
Presidential Government
The branches are separate and independent
CEO is chosen independently - has a fixed term – broad powers – not subject to direct control of the legislature

14. Parliamentary Government
The executive branch is made up of the Prime Minister or Premier, and the officials making up the cabinet
The Prime Minister and cabinet members are members of the legislative branch
The Prime minister is the leader of the majority party or coalition (an alliance of several groups to form a working majority)
Executive is chosen by the legislature

15. The Prime Minister and his cabinet are referred to as the “government”
The Government remain in power as long as it has the confidence of the majority
An example of a parliamentary government is Great Britain, Canada, Japan, and a majority of nations have a parliamentary government