Chapter One Notes Forms of Government

Anarchy- complete lack of government

Geographic Distribution of Power Unitary Federal Confederate

Unitary Government All the power is held by one single, central body. Ex. Individual states, Great Britain, are unitary type governments.

Federal Government Power is divided between a central government and several smaller, local governments Ex. U.S.

Confederate Government Weak central government States have all the power Example: CIS (Commonwealth Independent States)                                               

Relationship between Legislative and Executive Branches

Presidential Government Executive and Legislative branches are independent and co-equal Example U.S. government, France and Portugal

Parliamentary Government                                                                                                                                                  Members of Executive branch are also members of Legislative Branch (parliament)                               

Who can Participate?

Dictatorship vs. Democracy

Dictatorship Those who rule are not held responsible to the will of the people Autocracy- single person holds power Oligarchy- power held by small group, family

Democracy The people hold the power and give the government consent to rule. Two types: Direct Representative

Direct Democracy People vote directly for the laws themselves. Ex. Small New England towns and Swiss villages

Representative Democracy A small group of people chosen by the voters make laws based on what the people want Ex. Our U.S. government

How would you classify the US government?