Government Review Distribution of Power and Citizen Participation

Unitary One central Authority Controls EVERYTHING!!! Power is not shared between states, counties, provinces They can give power to the legislature….and then take it away Assigns powers to areas Could choose the governor or mayor

Countries with Unitary forms of Governments (2007)

Unitary Government Unitary System Regional Authority Regional Authority Central Authority Regional Authority Regional Authority

Confederation Voluntary by nature it has a weak central government. Very little power because members must agree on decisions that are made. Decisions made may not be actual laws, unless the majority agree. They are not common in the 21st century. There’s no true way to enforce laws. Some Examples: United States (1777 – 1778 Iroquois League Switzerland OPEC EU

Confederation Regional Regional Regional Regional Central Authority

Federation Power is divided between both the Central and Regional (states) authorities Usually a Constitution describes the duties of both authorities. Powerful Central but their power is limited Can’t dissolve states or choose leaders of states Many countries use it to distribute the power

Countries considered to have a Federal Government

Federation Federal Government Federal System Regional Authority Regional Authority Central Authority Regional Authority Regional Authority

Oligarchy “Ruled by a Few” Country or nation controlled by a small group of people Average person has little say or right in the government Decisions can be made quickly Poor/selfish decisions made by leaders can work against other citizens well being Examples: South Africa (during much of the 20th century) Communist China

Autocracy “Self Rule” Single ruler with unlimited power Decisions can be made quickly People have limited to no say in how government is run and can be ignored though Two types of Autocracies: Monarch Dictatorship Examples of Dictators: Adolf Hitler Joseph Stalin

Monarch Dictatorship Usually the Leader is BORN into it, there are 2 types of monarchs King, Queens, Emperors are examples No or few legal restraints = Absolute Formally Limited = Constitutional Inherited = Hereditary System of voting = Elective Usually the Leader takes the power by force Most times they have a military background Typically have a strong military/police force Refuses to give choice to people because they are viewed as incompetent

Democracy Two Types: Presidential Parliamentary “Led by the People” Country or Nation that receives its power from the people ALL people have an opportunity to vote and are involved in the decision making ALL people have an opportunity to lead Slow to make decisions Not all information that is given is correct or whole

Theocracy Typically an autocratic or oligarchic government Current Examples: Vatican City Iran Sikyong (Tibetan Parliament) Typically an autocratic or oligarchic government One or more religious leaders control the government Religious beliefs influence laws and rules Leader is believed to have a direct person connection with the divinity Ancient Examples: China Byzantine Empire Early Israel Ancient Egypt

Parliamentary Voters elect members to the Parliament (legislature) Parliament (legislature) has two Houses: House of Commons: The Political Party with the most votes in the House of Commons chooses the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is the government’s leader who has no set length of term. House of Lords: Little power with most members being nobles who have inherited their titles

Parliamentary vs. Presidential Democracy

Prime minister (leader/chief of state), is elected by the legislature, NOT by the people Executive power is held by members of the legislature; executive + legislative = one branch of government Head of state has a ceremonial role, Chief of state usually has the power Examples: Israel, Zimbabwe, Japan, and Great Britain 2 separate people

Presidential The president and legislature are separate branches and powers are divided between them President has two roles: head of state & chief of state = ceremonial duties (role) + power President is LIMITED to a set amount of terms they serve Example: United States = two 4-year terms

Voters elect legislators Voters ALSO (indirectly) elect the president. House of Representatives and Senate Voters ALSO (indirectly) elect the president. So…. in the presidential system voters have a more direct say about those who serve in two branches of the government : Legislative Executive

In Short….. Parliamentary Presidential Voters Voters Congress (House & Senate) Legislature President (Chief Executive) Parliament (Legislative Branch) Prime Minister (Executive Branch)