1. Government

2. Government
The people and groups within a society that have the authority to make laws, to make sure they are carried out, and to settle disagreements about them.

3. Systems of governments answer the question: How do governments distribute power?

4. Unitary Government System
The central government holds nearly all of the power.
Some unitary governments have elected officials who carry out laws without taking the opinions of locals
Monarchies are unitary
Example; Saudi Arabia

5. Confederation Government System
Local governments hold all of the power and the central government depends on the local governments for its existence.
The central government has only as much power as the local gives it.
No countries today that have a confederation.
Example: OPEC
Central
Government
= direction of power
= political unit ie. state

6. = political unit ie. state
Federal Government
A political system in which power is shared among different levels of governments.
Power is divided into national and state governments.
Example: Israel
Central
Government
= direction of power
= political unit ie. state

7. Types of Government answer the question: How do citizen’s participate in the government?

8. Autocratic Government
One is which the ruler has absolute power to do whatever he wishes and makes and enforces whatever laws he chooses.
People have little or no choice.
Many different types of autocratic governments
Example: Saudi Arabia

9. Oligarchy Means “government by the few”
A political party or other small group takes over a government and makes all of the major decisions.
People have little choice and go along with decisions these leaders make.
Examples: Iran and Syria

10. Democratic Government System
A great deal of power is in the hands of the people.
Goal is to have as much individual freedom as possible.
Decisions are often made by majority votes.
Example: Israel, Iraq

11. DEMOCRACY Parliamentary Presidential
People vote for the political party that they want to represent them.
This group is called the Parliament
The Parliament makes and carries out laws
In many cases Parliament chooses a leader called the Prime Minister
Example: Israel
Presidential
A President or chief executive is chosen separately from the legislature.
The legislature is also chosen. Its job is to pass laws.
The president is given specific powers.
Insert a map of your country.

12. Parliamentary System Presidential System
Executive
Executive
Legislative
Select
Elect
Elect
Legislative
Elect
Citizens
Citizens

13. HEREDITARY MONARCHY
In an Absolute Monarchy the king/queen/etc. has total control.
There is no constitution and the king rules for life. The people do not choose the king.
Example:
Saudi Arabia
Insert a picture illustrating a season in your country.

14. THEOCRACY Insert a picture illustrating a custom or tradition here.
A theocracy is a government ruled by religious leaders according to religious law.
The constitution of Iran is written following the codes of Islam and the law of Iran are Islamic law. It has elected leaders chosen from two main parties both of which are Muslim. Its Chief of State is a religious leader appointed for life.
Example: Iran
Insert a picture illustrating a custom or tradition here.

15. REPUBLIC
A Republic is a representative democracy. The people FREELY choose leaders who will represent their views in government. Countries in the Middle East, however, use the term loosely. Many countries that claim to be republics are actually dictatorships.
Example of true republic: Israel
Insert a picture of one of the geographic features of your country.

16. Legislature
A group of people who make laws.