Systems of Government

Unitary Confederate Federal Three Main Systems Unitary Confederate Federal

Unitary System Central government holds all the power Gives directives to lower governments Allocates power as they choose Example: Great Britain during Revolution

Confederate System Local governments hold the power Weak central government Promotes cooperation between states Often has voluntary membership and states can leave Treaties often used to define relationships between the states

Federal System Central and local governments share power Often times, a document outlines which powers each shares (CONSTITUTION) May have powerful central government, but it may not dissolve states

Think-Pair-Share Think Pair Share Individually, write out the pros and cons of each system Which do you think is best? Why? Pair With a partner, discuss the systems and come to a consensus on the best system. Why is this system better than the others? Share Class Discussion

Ideology behind Constitution Social Contract Theory Major Theorists: Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau Relationship between individuals and their governments need mutual consent Important historical role in the emergence of the idea that political authority must be derived from the consent of the governed Citizens give up some rights

Ideology behind Constitution Popular Sovereignty Legitimate states must have consent of the people People have all the political power Explain: How does this work in the US?

Key Vocabulary Limited Government Majority Rule Government with specific restrictions on power Constitution did this by clarifying what government can and cannot legally do to the citizens Majority Rule Everyone will accept the decision of the majority Minority Rights: Provisions to protect minority views on issues

Separation of Powers