1. Government Standard SS6CG4
SS6CG4 The student will compare and contrast various forms of government
a. Describe the ways government systems distribute power: unitary, confederation, and federal.
b. Explain how governments determine citizen participation: autocratic, oligarchic, and democratic.
c. Describe the two predominant forms of democratic governments: parliamentary and presidential.

2. What is government? Make laws or rules people must follow.
Make sure laws are carried out.
Settle disagreements about the laws.
Oversee the welfare of its people.

3. Classifying Governments
Geographic Distribution of Power
Relationship between Legislative & Executive Branches
Number of People Who Can Participate

4. Government Distribution of Power
the relationship between the national or central government and the smaller governmental divisions (states, provinces, counties and cities).

5. Unitary Government Oldest Most Common One Central Power
all key powers being held by the central government
Examples: Cuba and the United Kingdom

6. Confederate Government
state/regional authorities holding most of the power.
Weak Central Government
Individual states/local governments autonomous (independent)
Local governments join or withdraw by choice!
Example: European Union is an organization of more than 25 countries to promote trade within Europe

7. Federal Systems
Power is shared between a central government and local governments.
Some powers re-side with the central government, some powers reside with the regional governments, and some powers are shared.
The central government is supreme!
Examples: Australia, Germany, Russia, Canada, Brazil, Mexico

8. Citizen Participation
Voting Rights for all citizens.
Limited rights for citizens.
No rights for citizens.

9. Autocracy
Government by a single person having unlimited power; despotism (domination through threat of punishment and violence) .
dictators maintain their position via inheritance or military power, the citizen has little, if any, role in the government. People who try to speak out against the government are often silenced through use of power.

10. Oligarchy
A government in which a few people such as a dominant clan or clique have power.
Communist countries are mostly oligarchies. The citizen has a very limited role in government.

11. Democracy In a democracy, the government is elected by the people.
Everyone who is eligible to vote has a chance to have their say over who runs the country.
It is distinct from governments controlled by a particular social class or group (aristocracy; oligarchy) or by a single person (despotism; dictatorship; monarchy).
A democracy is determined either directly or through elected representatives.

12. Forms of Democracy
Presidential (USA) a system of government in which the president is constitutionally independent of the legislature.
Parliamentary (UK) A system where the legislature controls the power.

13. Presidential v Parliamentary System
Presidential: Set term
Parliamentary: No term or limit on term
Presidential: an independent executive, separation of powers
Parliamentary: Member of Legislative branch
Presidential: Elected by the people
Parliamentary: Chosen by the majority party in Parliament
Presidential: Leader answers to the people
Parliamentary: Leader answers to the Parliament
Presidential: checks and balances
Parliamentary: Legislature controls power