Chapter 1 Section 2 The Formation of Governments

Gov’t Systems Relationship between nation’s central gov’t and smaller gov’t divisions is described either as: Unitary system OR Federal system

Unitary System Gives all key powers to central gov’t Central gov’t is unit with power to create state, provincial, or other local gov’ts Sovereignty maybe limited Examples: UK, France, Italy

Federal System Power is shared between central gov’t and state gov’ts Each level of gov’t has some sovereignty Typically in large countries Examples: U.S., Canada, Mexico, Russia, India

Federal (cont.) Initially U.S. formed confederacy, a loose union of independent states Confederation failed, and Constitution made nat’l gov’t supreme while giving some powers to states

Constitutions & Gov’t Constitution is a plan that provides rules for gov’t Purposes: Sets out ideals that people bound by constitution believe in and share Establishes basic structure of gov’t Provides supreme law for country

(cont.) U.S. Constitution (1787) is oldest still serving a nation today Nations with written constitutions: France, Kenya, India, Italy (do not write) Constitutions are incomplete guides, cannot possibly cover everything

(cont.) U.S. Constitution has 7 articles, 21 sections What does amending mean? (do not write)