Foundations of Government Part 5: Systems of Government

Review What is a government? How can a government emerge? What are the main purposes of a government? Are there different levels of government?

Governmental Systems Most governments subscribe to one system. Confederacy Federal Unitary Each system creates different levels of government and different levels of power within the government.

Confederacy A loose union of independent states. Tend to be created to address major issues with a central government that provides support to all members. Examples: The Iroquois League: Made of six nations and holds the oldest, unchanged government in North America. The European Union: Made of 27 European nations including France, Austria, Germany, Spain, and the UK, and created to promote economic stability.

Federal Divides governmental powers between a central government and state and/or local governments to create levels. Each level has sovereignty in some areas. Examples: Most western nations, including the US, Canada, Mexico, and Australia.

Unitary All key powers go to the central government. The central government can create lower governments, therefore creating levels of government. The central government gives the lower government(s) limited sovereignty. Examples: South Africa, Greenland, Egypt, China, and most of Europe. How can most countries in Europe operate under the Unitary system and be member of the EU?

What this looks like… …but which is which? Why does the arrow go both ways in one scenario, but not the other? Central Government Central Government Lower Governments Lower Governments How is the US not a confederation?

Review How does the unitary system differ from the federal system? Do lower governments in the federal system hold any power? What makes up a confederacy? Do the nations of a confederacy hold any power?