Government
To study governments, geographers look at the following: Types – Who rules and who participates. Systems – How the power is distributed.
TYPES OF GOVT. Types of Government are based on one key question: Who governs and what is the citizen participation ? There are three types of governments: Autocracy, Oligarchy, and Democracy
Autocracy Autocracy Government in which the power to govern is held by one person. Generally the power to rule is inherited or by military force.
Autocracy There are two types of Autocracy. #1 Dictatorship The leader has not been elected and uses force to control all aspects of social and economic life. Ex: Hitler in Germany and Stalin in the Soviet Union
#2 Constitutional Monarchy The king, queen or emperor has the power BUT people have rights that are found in a constitution The government is a democratic one that limits the monarchs power. Ex: Great Britain
Oligarchy Oligarchy A government in which a few people such as a dominant clan or clique have power. The group gets their power from either military, wealth or social status. Elections may be held but offer only one candidate. Examples: Ancient Greek city states
Democracy Democracy In a democracy, the government is “Rule by the people”. People elect representatives and give them the power to vote on issues. Ex: United States
Democracy In a democracy…. Individual freedom and equality is valued. Free elections are held Decisions are based on majority rule. All candidates can express their views freely. Citizens vote by secret ballot.
There are two major forms of democratic governments: 1. Parliamentary 2. Presidential
Parliamentary Democracy Voters elect members to the Parliament (legislature). THEN THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT SELECT THE PRIME MINISTER! Parliament has two Houses: 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 Democracy Voters elect legislators Voters elect the president.
Parliamentary Presidential Prime Minister President Legislative Members of parliament then select the PM Legislative Citizens can vote for President and the members of the legislative body! Citizens vote for the members of parliament Citizens Citizens
SYSTEM OF GOVT Systems of Government are based on one question: How is the power distributed? There are three ways governments distribute power: 1. Unitary 2. Confederation 3. Federal
Unitary Unitary - Central government has all the power to make laws and decision for the people. One central government controls weaker states. Power is not shared between states, counties, or provinces.
STRONG CENTRAL GOVERNMENT Gives power to weak states
Confederation Confederation Individual states make their own laws and decisions Are loosely aligned to a weak central government
Confederation A weak or loose organization of states that agree to follow a central government. Each state makes its own laws and the central government is only concerned about defense and trade
Weak central government (gets power from strong states)
Federal Power to make laws and decision for the people is SHARED between central government and states
STRONG CETNRAL GOVERNMENT (gives power to and gets power from strong states) Strong States Strong States Strong States
Putting it all together…. The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy and a unitary system. The United States is a presidential democracy with a federal system. Cuba is an autocracy with a dictatorship and a unitary system. What do those statements mean?