Forms of Government“Democracy is the worst form of

government, except for all the others”

What is the best form of government?

No two governments are alike◦ Arise out of particular needs

Classifying Governments

1. Who can participate in governing process

2. Geographic distribution of governmental power within the state

3. Relationship between legislative and executive branch

Three Classifications

One of the most important classifications

Lets consider two basic forms ◦ Democracies ◦ Dictatorships

Who can participate?

Can be direct or indirect

◦ Direct: will of people translates into public policy New England town meetings Does not exist on National level

anywhere

◦ Indirect: Group of people chosen by population express the popular will Representative democracy,

Republic America, Ancient Rome

Democracy

Americans use term democracy, republic, representative democracy, and republican form of government interchangeably.

Each of the above are a different form of government

In democracy bottom line is that the people are sovereign

Democracy

Rulers not held responsible to will of the people

Oldest form of government in the world

Can be an autocracy, or an oligarchy

Dictatorship

Autocracy ◦ Single person holds

unlimited political power

Oligarchy ◦ Political power held by

small elite group

All are authoritarian ◦ Absolute power over the

people ◦ Totalitarian: complete

power over human affairs

Dictatorship

Militaristic in general◦ Usually gain control

through force

Illusion◦ Often hold elections ◦ Multiple government

bodies

Dictatorship

Power to govern is located in multiple places

Three basic models ◦ Unitary◦ Federal◦ Confederate

Geographic Distribution of Power

Centralized government

Central government creates local units

British government is perfect example◦ Parliament holds the power

Creates smaller government organizations to help

Unitary Government

Powers divided between central and local governments

Authority superior to both governments creates the division of powers

Modern US, Australia, Canada, Mexico, etc

Federal Government

Alliance of independent states

Central government has limited power

Allows states to maintain identity but come together for common good

EU is best modern example. CSA, Iroquois

Confederate Government

Another way to examine roles of government

Presidential and Parliamentary

Relation: Legislative—Executive

Executive and legislative separate and coequal

Have separate powers over one another

Invented by the US

Presidential Government

Executive is prime minister and that officials cabinet

PM and cabinet are part of legislator

PM is chosen by most powerful group of parliament ◦ Executive is part of legislator and under its control

Parliamentary Government

PM only keeps control with confidence of parliament ◦ Vote of no confidence ◦ Can remove PM or reset all of parliament

Parliament can avoid deadlock with this structure ◦ Checks and balances non existent

Parliamentary Government