Forms of Government Chapter 1 Section 2

orange - parliamentary republics green - presidential republics, executive presidency linked to a parliament yellow - presidential republics, semi-presidential system blue - presidential republics, full presidential system red - parliamentary constitutional monarchies in which the monarch does not personally exercise power magenta - constitutional monarchies in which the monarch personally exercises power, often (but not always) alongside a weak parliament purple - absolute monarchies brown - republics where the dominant role of a single party is codified in the constitution beige - states where constitutional provisions for government have been suspended grey - countries which do not fit any of the above systems

Greek Roots Its all Greek to me! cracy = archy = power auto = oligos = demos = power rule self few people

Glossary Terms Monarchy- Rulers inherit their position from family. Theocracy- A system of government where people rule in the name of God. Democracy-Political power rests with the people. Totalitarianism-Government not accountable to the people. Autocracy – single person holds unlimited power. Oligarchy – power to rule is held by few.

Monarchy Rulers inherit their position from family. Old vs. New Monarchy Old- Rule by “Divine Right” w/ absolute power. New – Constitutional Monarchy. Constitutional Monarchy- monarch and legislative body rule.

Theocracy A system of government where people rule in the name of God. No separation of church and state. Examples: Iran, Vatican City

Who Can Participate Democracy Political power rests with the people Direct – public policy directed by citizens Pros? Cons? Indirect – representatives for government Reps. Responsible for public policy on behalf of constituents “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” - Abraham Lincoln

Who Can Participate Totalitarianism Government not accountable to the people Oldest most common form of government Autocracy – single person holds unlimited power Oligarchy – power to rule is held by few

Dictatorship All are authoritarian – unchallenged by the people May control every aspect of your life Votes are often taken, but usually controlled Legislative bodies exist Typically militaristic in nature

Geographic Distribution of Power

Geographic Distribution of Power Unitary Government – Central government May distribute power to local governments Can be unitary & democratic at the same time

Federal Government – power is divided between a central and several local govts. Power above both creates a division of power, that neither can change alone US – national and state governments

Confederate Government – alliance of independent states Central government has limited power Typically only to orchestrate a defense Allows states to keep their identity

Legislative and Executive Branches Presidential Government – separate powers of executive and legislative Independent, but coequal Can block each other out (checks)

Parliamentary Government – executive is from the parliament (prime minister) Leader of the majority party Remain in power until they lose support of the majority of the party Lost of confidence Parliament may as a whole go to the voters Helps avoid deadlock

Comparing Presidential and Parliamentary Systems of Government Presidential System Parliamentary System Voters Voters British Parliament Prime Minister Gordon Brown U.S. House of Representatives President Barack Obama