Principles of Government

Systems, Forms, and Types

Standard: SSCG 19 : Compare and

contrast governments that are unitary, confederal, federal, autocratic, oligarchic, democratic, presidential and parliamentary.

Essential Question What are the similarities

and differences between the many forms of government including; unitary, confederal, federal, autocratic, oligarchic, democratic, parliamentary and presidential?

Objectives Learn the four essential features of a “state” (not a

“State”). Learn the four theories about the origination of states Understand the difference between unitary, confederal

and federal systems of government Learn about the three major forms of government Identify key characteristics of democratic government

“State” or “state?”

“State” (capitalized) refers to a political subdivision of the United States, such as the State of Montana

“state” (lower case) refers to a nation-state or country, such as France or the United States

Theories on Origin of states

Divine right (God given right to rule) Social contract (Society’s need for order) Force theory (organize to resist enemies) Evolutionary theory (extended family rule

became government)

Systems and Types of Government

In order to study government, we first need to look at the following:

Systems: How is the Power distributed

Types: Who rules and who participates

Systems of government are based on one question…

…How is the power distributed?

There are three ways governments distribute power: Unitary Confederation Federal

Unitary

One central government controls everything

Power is NOT shared between states, counties, or provinces.

Examples: The United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, and Spain

Unitary Governments

Confederal

A voluntary association of independent states that agrees to follow a central government.

States can choose to follow or not follow the lead of the central government

Examples: CSA, Russian Federation

Federal

Power is shared by a central government

States or Provinces are given considerable self-rule, usually through their own legislatures.

Examples, the United States and Germany

Federal Governments

Systems of Government

Types of government are based on one question…

…Who governs and what is the citizenship participation?

There are three types of government: Autocracy Oligarchy Democracy

Autocracy

Government in which the power to govern is held by one person

Generally the power to rule is inherited or by military force

There are three types of autocracy

Example: Iraq, and Great Britain

Dictatorship- absolute rule generally by force

Absolute Monarchy-absolute rule inherited through family ties

Constitutional Monarchy-share power with elected officials, seen for as figurehead with limited to no power

Oligarchy

A government in which a few people such as a dominate clan or clique hold all the power

The group gets their power through either military, wealth, or social status

Elections may be held but offer only one candidate

Examples: Greek-City states, Russian Federation.

Democracy

Ruled by the people Individual freedom and

equality is valued Free elections are held Decisions are based on

majority rule Citizens vote by secret

ballot Example: the United

States

Two forms of democracy

Direct Democracy- People vote on all issues

Representative Democracy (Republic)- citizens elect representatives and give them the power to vote on the issues

Two Major Types of Democratic Governments

Parliamentary Voters elect members to

Parliament House of Commons-the

Political Party with the most votes in the House of Commons chooses the Prime Minister, the government’s leader with no set length of term

House of Lords: little power with most members being nobles having inherited their titles

Presidential Voters elect legislatures Voter elect (indirectly) the

president Therefore, in the

presidential system voters have a more direct say about those who serve in two branches of the government

Legislative Executive