The Distribution of Power in Governments Today Section 4

Introduction Read together as a class.

Section 2: The Origins and Evolution of Government Over time, some farming villages grew into cities and city-states. Gradually, power in many city-states became concentrated in the hands of a single ruler. In the fifth century B.C.E., the Greek city-state of Athens made a radical change in its form of government. T Reorganized their city-state as a direct democracy.  Public decisions are made directly by citizens meeting together in an assembly or voting by ballot. 

Some monarchs ruled with the best interests of their people in mind Some monarchs ruled with the best interests of their people in mind. Others ruled as despots, or tyrants, who used their power for selfish ends. Growing dissatisfaction with this form of government triggered a series of world-altering revolutions, first in Europe and then in the American colonies.

The Forms of Totalitarianism https://subscriptions.teachtci.com/shared/sections/9098?locale=en&program_id=163

Forms of Government in Today's World Monarchy: Rule by the One Hereditary Ruler Dictatorships: Rule by the One Powerful Leader Theocracy: Rule by the Few Religious Leaders Single-Party State: Rule by the Political Elite Direct Democracy: Rule by All Citizens Parliamentary Democracy: Rule by a Legislative Majority Presidential Democracy: Rule by Representatives of the People

The Distribution of Power in Governments Today Section 4

Unitary Systems Centralize Power Definition: a system of government in which power is centralized in the national government; regional governments only exercise powers given by national government

Unitary Systems Centralize Power Pros: • promotes national unity • all parts of the country follow the same laws and policies

Unitary Systems Centralize Power Cons: broad public policies may not fit the needs of the entire country or population central government officials cannot know the needs of every locality

Federal Systems Divide Power Definition: a system of government in which power is divided between national and regional governments

Federal Systems Divide Power Pros: • works well for large, diverse countries • gives regional governments flexibility in meeting diverse needs

Federal Systems Divide Power Cons: • works well for large, diverse countries • gives regional governments flexibility in meeting diverse needs

Confederal Systems Decentralize Power Definition: a system of government in which power resides in the regions, which are independent states; the central government gets power from regional governments

Confederal Systems Decentralize Power Pros: allows regional governments to unite for some purposes without giving up the power to run their own affairs gives regional governments flexibility to meet local needs

Confederal Systems Decentralize Power Cons: central government may be too weak to meet the needs of the nation as a whole may lead to conflict between regions

Economic Systems Around the World Today Section 5

Introduction Economic systems: a way of organizing the production and consumption of goods and services Exist because People have certain needs in order to survive People have unlimited wants

Three Fundamental Economic Questions: What to Produce, How, and for Whom? Every economic system must answer these three questions: 1. What goods and services should be produced? 2. How should these goods and services be produced? 3. How should the people share goods and services?

The Four Factors of Production These factors are the resources required to produce most goods and services. They include: Land Labor Capital Entrepenurship

The Four Factors of Production

Traditional Economies: Decision Making By Custom Definition: an economic system in which decisions about what goods and services to produce and how are made on the basis of tradition

Traditional Economies: Decision Making By Custom Pros: • tradition and community values keep the economy running smoothly • people can provide for themselves

Traditional Economies: Decision Making By Custom Cons: • very low standard of living • limited access to goods and services

Market Economies: Decision Making By Individuals Definition: An economic system that relies mainly on markets to determine what goods and services to produce and how

Market Economies: Decision Making By Individuals Pros: • efficient at meeting people’s needs, based on demand • competition keeps prices from rising too high • business investment helps the economy grow

Market Economies: Decision Making By Individuals Cons: • instability; periods of growth usually alternate with recessions • unequal distribution of wealth

Command Economies: Decision Making By Government Planners Definition: an economic system that relies mainly on the central government to determine what goods and services to produce and how

Command Economies: Decision Making By Government Planners Pros: • can ensure full employment • can control prices and bring stability to the economy • distributes income more equally

Command Economies: Decision Making By Government Planners Cons: Workers have little incentive to work hard or to produce quality goods Government planners are less efficient than the market at making economic decisions