1. Latin America: Government1

2. Parliamentary and Presidential Democracies2

3. Democratic Government
Democratic governments are called democracies
In a democracy, the government is elected by the people

4. Citizens play an active role in government by voting for representatives
There are two basic types of democratic government:
* Parliamentary
* Presidential

5. Parliamentary Democracy
Government system with a legislature called the Parliament
The Parliament is usually elected by the people of the country
Executive power is made up of a prime minister and a cabinet – however, not all Parliamentary systems have a prime minister 5

6. The prime minister is selected by the largest political group in the Parliament
Cabinet is often selected by prime minister with approval of Parliament
Prime Minister and cabinet are subject to the legislature’s (Parliament’s) direct control 6

7. Presidential Democracy
Features a separation of powers –executive power and legislative power are independent and coequal
Each checks the actions of the other 7

8. Executive power is made up of a president
President is chosen independently from the legislature
President is not subject to direct control of the legislature 8