1. Comparing Forms of Government
How should political and economic power be distributed in a society?
CIVICS – Chapter 2 1 1

2. Preview
In your opinion, which one of the following people or groups should have the power to make the rules at school, and why?
principal
teachers
student council
other
Are there any people or groups above that should not make the rules at your school? If so, why not? 2 2

3. Comparing Governments and Economies
Read pages and complete the chart:
Define the type of government or economy
List some positives (pros)
List some negatives (cons)

4. Comparing Governments and Economies
MONARCHY EXAMPLE
Definition: a system of government in which a single ruler exercises supreme power based on heredity or divine right
Pros: efficient, clear line of succession
Cons: quality of leadership can vary dramatically, too much power in one person

5. Types of Government Dictatorship
A system of government in which a single person exercises supreme power based upon force
Pros = centralized power, peace and order
Cons = no opposition allowed, serious legitimacy problems
Theocracy
A system of government headed by religious leaders
Pros = single state religion encourages unity, political decisions in line with moral beliefs
Cons = religious minorities often persecuted, difficult to enforce religious unity

6. Types of Government Single-party state Direct democracy
A system in which only one political party is allowed
Pros = easier to pass laws
Cons = opposition is left out of the political process
Direct democracy
A system in which public decisions are made directly by citizens
Pros = each citizen has a say
Cons = very time consuming and inefficient

7. Types of Government Parliamentary democracy Presidential democracy
A system which voters elect lawmakers (who select a leader)
Pros = easier to get legislation passed
Cons = no clear separation of power, frequent change of leaders
Presidential democracy
A system which voters elect lawmakers and a president
Pros = separation of powers, fixed terms of office
Cons = no way to remove President, gridlock if lawmakers and President are from opposing parties

8. Systems of Government Unitary system Federal system
A system which power is centralized in national government
Pros = promotes national unity
Cons = public policies may not fit the needs of the entire country or population
Federal system
A system in which power is divided between national and regional governments
Pros = good for large, diverse countries
Cons = conflict between national and regional governments, conflicting or competing laws

9. Systems of Government Confederal system Confederal system
A system which power resides in the regions, the central government gets power from regional governments
Confederal system
Pros = prevents rise of authoritarian central government, flexible to meet local needs
Cons = central government too weak to meet the nations needs, conflict between regions

10. Economic Systems Traditional economy Traditional economy
A economic system in which decisions about what goods and services to produce are made on the basis of tradition
Traditional economy
Pros = people can provide for themselves
Cons = low standard of living, limited access to goods and services

11. Economic Systems Market economy Market economy
A economic system that relies mainly on markets to determine what goods and service to produce
Market economy
Pros = competition keeps prices from rising, meets needs based on demand
Cons = instability, periods of growth alternate with recession, unequal distribution of wealth

12. Economic Systems Command economy Command economy
A economic system in which decisions about what goods and services are made by the central government
Command economy
Pros = can ensure full employment, price controls, and income equality
Cons = low worker incentive, planners less efficient than the market

13. Power, Politics, and You
Read the “Power, Politics, and You” section of the chapter. Then, be prepared to respond to the following questions:
The authors of this article point out the trend of democracy stagnation. What factors account for this, and why is each a problem?
How do the current methods of suppressing political dissenters around the world differ from past methods of repression?
Do you think that this is an issue that we, as Americans, should be concerned about? Why or why not? 13 13

14. Processing
Imagine that you are advising a country that is creating a new constitution.
Below are the priorities that the country might have when it come to a government and an economic system.
For each possible priority, identify the combination (form of government + system of government + economic system) you would recommend.
Then write one or two sentences explaining why you think this combination works best for the particular priority.
Monarchy
Unitary
Traditional 14 14

15. Freedom = __________________ + __________________ + __________________
For each of the priorities that appear below, several students will share their combination of form of government, system of government and economic system and explain why they think their combination works best for the particular priority.
Form of government
System of government
Economic system
Efficiency = __________________ + __________________ + __________________
Freedom = __________________ + __________________ + __________________
Prosperity = __________________ + __________________ + __________________
Equality = __________________ + __________________ + __________________
Security = __________________ + __________________ + __________________ 15 15