1. Chapter 1 – Section 2
Forms of Government

2. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
all governments can be classified according to one or more basic features
three of those classifications are especially important and useful
1) who can participate in the governing process
2)the geographic distribution of governmental power within the state
3)the relationship between the legislative and executive branches of the government

3. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT DEMOCRACY
Supreme political authority rests with the people
Democracy is either direct or indirect
Direct – (also called pure) – exists where the will of the people is translated into public policy directly by the people themselves – only works in small communities

4. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT DEMOCRACY
Indirect – (representative democracy) – a small group of representatives express the popular will
Reps are held accountable to the people
People can voice their approval or disapproval through elections
Government with the consent of the governed

5. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT DEMOCRACY In a democracy the people are sovereign
They are the only source of any and all the government’s power
The people rule

6. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT DICTATORSHIP
Exists when those who rule cannot be held responsible to the will of the people
The government is not accountable
The most oldest and common form of government known to history

7. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT DICTATORSHIP
Autocracy – government in which a single person holds unlimited political power
Oligarchy – the power to rule is held by a small, usually self-appointed elite

8. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT DICTATORSHIP All dictatorships are authoritarian
Modern dictatorships are usually totalitarian – they exercise complete power over nearly every aspect of human affairs
Examples in the modern era?????

9. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
DICTATORSHIP ITALY

10. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
DICTATORSHIP GERMANY

11. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
DICTATORSHIP SOVIET UNION

12. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT DICTATORSHIP
Most present day dictatorships are not nearly so absolutely controlled by a single person or by a small group
Outward apperances may hide the fact that several groups (army, religious leaders, industrialists e.g.) compete for power

13. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT DICTATORSHIP
People vote in dictatorships, but the elections are closely controlled, usually only containing candidates from one political party

14. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT DICTATORSHIP
Dictators usually gain power through force with the military holding many major posts in the government
These regimes sometimes turn to foreign aggression to enhance the country’s military power and prestige

15. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT UNITARY GOVERNMENT
Often described as a centralized government
All powers held by the government belong to a single, central agency
Most governments in the world are unitary
Best Example- Great Britain (Parliament)
Unitary is not same as dictatorship—the powers of Parliament are limited

16. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
The powers of the government are divided between a central government and several local governments
Division of powers
USA – the national government has certain powers and the 50 state governments have others
Defined in the Constitution – stands above both levels of government

17. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT CONFEDERATE GOVERNMENT
Confederation – an alliance of independent states
Confederate government only handles matters assigned to it by the states
Limited powers in areas of defense, foreign commerce
Lack the power to make laws without consent of the states

18. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT CONFEDERATE GOVERNMENT Very rare in today’s world
Closest modern example – European Union
Our example???? Articles of Confederation (colossal failure)
Articles – meant to unite the 13 states, instead created a loose alliance of thirteen individual states

19. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT PRESIDENTIAL GOVERNMENT
Executive & legislative are separate and independent of one another
Chief executive is chosen independently of the legislature and serves a fixed term
USA – Constitution provides for the separation of powers between the branches (checks & balances)

20. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT
Executive is made up of the prime minister or premier and that official’s cabinet
PM or premier is part of the legislative branch
PM selects members of the cabinet but only with approval of the legislature
Therefore, executive is chosen by the legislature, is part of it, and is subject to its control

21. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
PM and cabinet remain in office as long as their policies have the confidence of a majority in Parliament
If Parliament defeats the PM on an important matter, government may receive vote of “no confidence” and must resign
Parliamentary government avoids conflict between executive/legislative branch, but does not use a checks & balances system