Unit 1- Chapter 2  Unitary Power is when the national/central government controls the country.  The national government may choose to create regional governments/states to carry out its policies.  Advantage of this system is that it promotes national unity by having all parts of a country follow the same laws and policies.  Disadvantage – policies that fit one region of the country may not work as well in another.  Japan is example of this type of government.

Confederal System States are autonomous to make laws as they see fit within their boundaries, i.e. without regard to national laws. States are powerful and national governments are weak. Examples – After the American Revolution, the former colonies banded together in a loose alliance where the states had the most power, Articles of Confederation and the United Nations

Federal System The U.S. Constitution established a federal system. In a federal system, national and state (regional) governments have certain powers over individual citizens, while sovereignty (power) remains with the citizens.

Parliamentary Democracy  a system that gives governmental authority to a legislature which in turn selects the executive from among its own members.  Israel has a parliamentary government. The lawmaking house is called a Knesset. They make the policy for the country and approve of the budget. The prime minister is chosen from the leader of the party that controls the most seats in the Knesset.

Presidential Democracy A political system in which voters chose a president to lead the government as head of the executive branch. The United States, Russia and most countries in Latin America, like Brazil are presidential democracies.

Authoritarian/Dictatorship  Government controlled by one person (at times a small group). Ruler has complete control over the laws and government of the country.  People have little freedom. Government controls where people live, their level of education, and their jobs.  North Korea

Monarchy  Constitutional Monarchy - a democratic government that limits the monarch’s control (United Kingdom). This is also a type of Representative Democracy.  Absolute Monarchy - the monarch is granted full power (Saudi Arabia). This is a type of Authoritarian government/ Dictatorship.

Aristocracy  Greek philosopher Aristotle defined it as a government by the virtuous few for the good of all.

Theocracy  A system of government headed by religious leaders.  Vatican City and Iran

Limited Government  A limited government is a government that has established and respected limits on its power.

Constitution  A higher law that establishes and limits government in order to protect individual rights as well as to promote the common good.  Constitutions can be used to define and limit government.  The U.S. has a constitution that makes sure our rights are protected and our government doesn’t abuse its power.

Not a Constitutional Government if…  A constitution provides for the unlimited exercise of political power.  A constitution provides that the government’s power is limited, but it does not include ways to enforce those limitations.  The former Soviet Union had one of the longest and most elaborate constitutions in history, but in reality its citizens enjoyed few of the rights guaranteed by it.  The German Reich/Empire had a constitution and Hitler still had unlimited power.

Direct Democracy  Direct Democracy: Government in which all citizens have equal power in decision making (Ancient Greece, Mayflower Compact Era).  No country today has a direct democracy – Switzerland comes the closest with their referendum and initiative process. (US has this too)  Referendum – citizens vote to approve or reject laws passed by a legislature.  Initiative – citizens propose laws and submit them directly to voters.  Recall election – citizens may vote an elected official out of office.

Representative Democracy or Representative Government  Republican form of government created under the Constitution in which citizens elect others to represent their interests.