World Political Systems Types of Governments

Political Systems Nearly 200 independent countries exist in the world today! They vary greatly in size, military power, natural resources, economic importance, and many other ways. 200 Countries in 200 Years !!! (Click on Link to view video!)

Each of these 200 countries, however, has 4 specific characteristics that DEFINE it as a country: TERRITORY POPULATION SOVEREIGNITY GOVERNMENT

Terms to Know: 1. TERRITORY Territory-Includes the land, water, & natural resources within its boundaries. Modern countries range in size from Russia (6.5 million square miles) to the Vatican City (.17 square miles). The total area of the US is 3.7 million square miles!

HOW??? TERRITORY continued… Several factors play an important role in how a nation defines the boundaries that separate it from other nations. HOW??? *Natural divisions, such as rivers & mountains, often serve as boundaries. *Also, a nation’s boundaries can shrink or expand as a result of wars & conquests. *In addition to thru negotiations as a result of international treaties and agreements.

Terms to Know: 2. POPULATION The size of the population does NOT determine the existence of a country. Remember…some countries such as Canada & Australia, have VAST land areas that are largely unpopulated…while Japan and the Netherlands are small in terms of land area but extremely densely populated. As citizens of a nation, people are usually assured of protection by their government. In return citizens usually must pay taxes, serve in the military, or carry out other obligations to the government.

Terms to Know: 3. SOVEREGNITY Definition: A nation’s freedom from outside control. A sovereign country is one that can rule itself by establishing its own policies and determining its own course of action. How can geographic factors help and/or hurt a nation defend/maintain its sovereignty?

ISLAND-United Kingdom MOUNTAINS-Switzerland HARSH WEATHER-Russia PLAINS/FLAT LAND-Poland

Terms to Know: 4. GOVERNMENT Though there are many countries in the world, there are only a few kinds of political systems. Each system can be classified according to its structure and its basis of authority.

3 Types of AUTHORITY UNITARY FEDERATION CONFEDERATION

1. Unitary System Strong central government. Local government has little power. All decisions of state are at the national level. Dictatorships; Totalitarian regimes. Ex. Japan & United Kingdom

2. Federation National governments and local governments share the power. Usually has more than one branch of government. Ex. United States

3. Confederation Local government has most of the political power. National government has little power or responsibility. Ex. 1860’s Southern States during the Civil War

Now, you are going to define, in your OWN words, the SOURCE of authority in governments: Use page 92 & 93 in your textbook to define & give details of the following on the back of your notes: AUTHORITARIAN DICTATORSHIP TOTALITARIANISM MONARCHY DEMOCRACY

Video Click on the following link (and/or type the address into your web browser) to video videos on the United Nations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTykHVuXPUg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0_kxsCFZOQ