Please clear off your desks completely! (just a pencil) Forms of Governments Please clear off your desks completely! (just a pencil)
Who needs government? Imagine a world with no governments! No rules, no taxes, no leaders, no protection, Awesome, right? What are your thoughts? OK, so we need governments. Let’s take a look at how some of them work.
To study governments, we look at the following: How do the citizens participate in their government? How the power is distributed (divided) between the central government and the regional governments?
How do the citizens participate in their government? There are three ways that people participate in their government. Autocracy, Oligarchy, and Democracy
Autocracy Government in which the power to govern is held by one person. I Just Can't Wait To Be King Generally the power to rule is inherited or by military force. The people do not participate. They obey the rules. There are two forms of autocracies.
#1 Dictatorship The leader has not been elected and uses force to control all aspects of social and economic life. Examples: Adolf Hitler in Germany and Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union
#2 Absolute Monarchy A monarchy has a king, queen, emperor or empress. The power is usually inherited or passed down from family members. We call this the “blood line.” The monarch has absolute power. Therefore, the people do not get to participate. The people simply obey the rules. Example: Czar Nicholas II
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. The people do not participate. The people obey the rules. Examples: Greek city states
Democracy In a democracy, the government is “rule by the people.” The people participate by voting. They must also obey the rules. There are two forms of democracy: Direct Democracy – People vote on all the issues. What a bother!! Representative Democracy – People elect representatives and give them the power to vote on issues. That’s easier than voting on every issue. Example: United States
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.
Your Turn! Autocracy, Oligarchy, & Democracy - YouTube Use your packet to construct a creative chart showing the three ways governments allow (or not) their citizens to participate in their government. You might start by writing the three types across the top of your paper.
Let’s Check MB 136-137 State your answer…..and your evidence to your table partner! Anyone need to debate that answer? Syria Link: Syria's War in 5 minutes.
Forms of Government: Let’s Review!
Democratic Governments There are two major kinds of representative democratic governments: Parliamentary Presidential Parliamentary vs. Presidential
Parliamentary Democracy Voters elect members to the Parliament (legislature) Parliament has two Houses: House of Commons and House of Lords
Parliamentary Democracy 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.
Parliamentary Democracy House of Lords: Little power with most members being nobles having inherited their titles
The United Kingdom is a parliamentary democracy that has a constitutional monarchy. Kings, queens or emperors share power with elected legislatures. Generally the kings are nothing more than figureheads (ceremonial) Queen Elizabeth II The government is a democratic one that limits the monarchs power. Example: Great Britain
Let’s See them in Action Parliament in Action
Presidential Democracy Now let’s look at what a PRESIDENTIAL democracy looks like…….
Your Turn! Use the space provided in your packet to copy the chart on the next page. Ask me lots of questions!
Presidential Democracy Voters elect representatives to represent them Voters elect the president. Therefore, in the presidential system, people have a more direct say about those who serve in two branches of the government : Legislative Executive
Compare MB 136-139 State your answer…..and your evidence. Anyone need to debate that answer? P. 137, 348 C, 349 B, 350 C, 351 D P. 138, 352 D, 353 A, 354 D, 355 C, 356 B P. 139, 357 D, 358 D, 359 C
Parliamentary System Presidential System Executive Executive Legislative Select Elect Elect Legislative Elect Citizens Citizens
Whew! That is a lot of new information! The best part is………….we can now answer the next important question about governments!
How is the power distributed? There are three systems of distributing(dividing) power. Unitary Federal Confederation
Distributing their power???? UFC Fighters Unitary Federal Confederation
Unitary One central government controls everything. Power is not shared between states, counties or provinces. Examples : France, the Netherlands, and Spain The next slide shows power by shape!
Ways Government Distributes Power Unitary Ways Government Distributes Power Regional States Regional States Central Authority Regional States Regional States
Confederation A voluntary association of independent states that agrees join together for a common purpose. (war, trade, alliances) States and provinces can choose to follow or not follow the lead of the central government. Example: European Union Confederation
Ways Government Distributes Power Confederation Ways Government Distributes Power Regional Authority Regional Authority Central Authority Regional Authority Regional Authority
Federal Power is shared by a powerful central government. States or provinces are given considerable self rule, usually through their own legislatures. Examples: United States, Germany
Ways Government Distributes Power Federation / Federal Ways Government Distributes Power Regional Authority Regional Authority Central Authority Regional Authority Regional Authority
How is the power distributed? All key powers are held by the central government State/regional authorities hold most of the power Unitary Confederation Federal Shared power Strong central government Weaker central government
How Governments Determine Citizen Participation High Participation High Participation Select Citizens’ Participation General Citizens’ Participation Government Power Citizen Participation Government Power Government Power Citizen Participation Low or No Participation Low or No Participation Autocratic Oligarchic Democracy
Still confused? Autocracy vs. Unitary