Distribution of Power SS7CG4 The student will compare and contrast various forms of government. a. Describe the ways government systems distribute power: unitary, confederation, and federal.

What is a Government System?  Every country has a government that is set up in it own distinct way  One thing that a country has to decide on is how to organize its government and distribute power  There are 3 main ways governments spread their power:  Unitary  Confederation  Federal

Unitary Government  Central government operates all levels of government in the country  Assigns power to state & local government  Ex) leader might have the power to choose the governor or mayor  Ex) can give power to a legislature allowing the state or local government to govern itself, then the central government could decide to dissolve legislature and control region directly

Unitary Government

Examples of Unitary Governments  Many countries in the world are run this way  SW Asia – Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Iran, etc.  Unitary is not the structure of the US government: our Congress does not have the power to dissolve state legislatures or appoint governors

Unitary Governments of the World

Questions to Consider…  Question – How is power distributed in a unitary government?  Answer – A central government assigns power and duties to smaller units of government within the country.  Question – True or False: In a unitary government, the national government could remove the governor of a state and pick a new one.  Answer – True  Question – Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey – What do these countries have in common?  Answer – All have unitary government systems

Confederation Governments  Some countries agree that they would be better able to solve problems or provide help if they worked together  They might sign a treaty or a constitution under which the countries agree to defend each other, trade with each other, use a common currency, etc.  This is called a confederation government  Membership is usually voluntary & a country can decide to leave at any time

Unitary Text Questions 1. How is power distributed in a unitary government? a. One ruler makes all the decisions for a country. b. Smaller units of government, like countries, control the central government. c. A central government assigns power and duties to smaller units of government within the country. d. The central government does not have much power over the smaller units of government in the country. 2. Which could happen in a country with a unitary government? a. Each of the counties in the country create its own money. b. A state government removes the president of the country and picks a new president. c. The national government removes the governor of the state and picks a new governor. d. Each of the states in a country writes its own laws, which may be different from the laws of the other states. 3. How are these countries alike? a. They have a unitary style of government. b. They do not have a unitary style of government. c. The countries do not have a strong central government. d. The countries have one leader to follow in the government. Bolivia Cuba France Great Britain

Confederation Governments

 Not commonly found among governments in the 21st century because:  Often have little power because a majority of members must agree to decisions made  Individual countries can veto decisions  Changes in the constitution requires all members to agree  Confederations generally have a weak central government

Examples of Confederation Governments  US tried this type of government from 1777 to 1787  States considered themselves to be separate countries  States had more power than the confederation government  Weak central government became a problem because Congress could not make decisions or laws because they had no power to enforce them  Articles of Confederation was replaced by the Constitution, which set up a federal form of government

Questions to Consider…  Question – What is one problem with a confederation government?  Answer – The central government can create laws but might not be able to enforce them  Question – In a confederation, government power lies with the  Answer – Governments of the member countries/states

Confederation Text Questions 1. What is one problem with a confederation government? a. The central government is too strong. b. The central government has too many taxes. c. The central government cannot have an army to defend itself. d. The central government can create laws but might not be able to enforce them. 2. In a confederation, government power lies with a. the people. b. a constitution. c. the central government. d. the governments of the member countries. 3. What is the MOST LIKELY reason a country would join a confederation with a weak central government? a. The country is afraid it will be attacked. b. The country does not want to have strong partners. c. The country wants to keep most of the power for itself. d. The country wants to send tax money to the central government.

Federal Governments  In a federal form of government, power is divided between a central government & states  A document (such as a constitution) may describe the rights, responsibilities, and duties of the central government & the states  Central government can be powerful, but does not have the ability to dissolve states or choose state leaders

Federal Governments

Examples of Federal Governments  Many countries use this form of distributing government power  The United States is an example of a federal government system, where power is shared by the U.S. federal government and the individual state governments.  A federal system does not mean that there is more or less personal freedom for the people, it just explains how power is distributed

U.S. Federal Government  The federal government has powers that the states do not, such as the power to declare war and sign treaties with other countries  States have some powers that the federal government does not have, such as the power to choose the governor or to create new counties in the state

Questions to Consider…  Question – How does a federal system of government divide power?  Answer – Between the central government and smaller units such as states  Question – What defines the rights, responsibilities, & duties of the central & state governments?  Answer – A constitution

Federal Text Questions 1. Which type of government divides power between the central government and smaller units, such as states? a. Unitaryb. Federal c. Theocraticd. confederation 2. What defines the rights, responsibilities, & duties of the central and state government in a federal system? a. the peopleb. a constitution c. the central governmentd. state government 3. Which could happen in a country with a federal government? a. Each of the states in the country has its own governor & legislature. b. The central government removes the governor of the state and picks a new one. c. A state government removes the president of the country and picks a new one. d. A state law over rules the laws of the central government.