Governments
What is Government? Government is the people and groups within a society that have the authority to make laws, to make sure they are carried out, and to settle disagreements about them.
How do governments distribute power? Unitary – central government has all the power Confederation – states control a weak government Federal – power is SHARED between central government and states
Federal comprising a number of partially self-governing states or regions united by a central ("federal") government Power is shared/divided between central government and states
Federal Governments
Unitary Government Most states in the world have a unitary system of government. Power is held by one central authority.
Unitary Governments
Confederation Voluntary association of independent states that often only delegate a few powers to the central authority Tend to be established for dealing with critical issues such as defense or foreign affairs Usually don’t last long
How do citizens participate in the government? Autocratic/Autocracy – little to no citizen participation Oligarchic/Oligarchy – group of people have input Democratic/Democracy – all citizens have the right to participate
Autocratic/Autocracy the political power is held by a single, self-appointed ruler one person holds all the power, without the participation, or sometimes even the consent, of the people; citizen has limited, if any, role in government Ruler maintains power through inheritance or ruthless use of military and police power
Oligarchic/Oligarchy Government by the few; sometimes a small group exercises control, the average citizen has a limited role Also compared with Communism Members of this high social class claim to be, or are considered by others to be, superior to the other people because of family ties, social rank, wealth, or religious affiliation
Parliamentary Democracy Executive power vested in a Cabinet Cabinet composed of members of the legislature May have a Prime Minister elected by the legislature
Presidential Democracy Separation of power between different branches of the government Executive branch exists separately from the legislature President is constitutionally independent from the legislature
Republic People elected representatives Those representatives vote on legislation, not the people themselves
Democratic/Democracy power of the people all members of the society (citizens) have equal access to power all members (citizens) enjoy universally recognized freedoms and liberties
Democratic Governments The palest blue countries get a score above 9.5 out of 10 (with Sweden being the most democratic country at 9.88), while the black countries score below 2 (with North Korea being the least democratic at 1.03).
Absolute Monarchy Supreme power is placed in the hands of a monarch Monarchs usually rule for life or pass power down hereditary lines Examples are Kings, Queens, Prince, and Princesses
Constitutional Monarchy Monarch does not hold supreme power The Monarch is guided by a constitution The constitution spells out clear rights, duties, and responsibilities for the Monarch
Countries with Monarchies
Theocracy A Deity/religious leader is recognized as supreme ruler. The Deity’s laws are interpreted by a leader Government subject to religious authority Examples: Iran, Vatican City
Communist The government plans and controls the economy Single party control No private ownership of property All goods equally shared among the people
Dictatorship One ruler holds absolute power Leader rules by force Typically the Dictator limits the citizens’ freedom Example: North Korea