How do we classify a government? Classifying Governments Governments can be classified by three different standards: (1) Who can participate in the governing process (2) The geographic distribution of the governmental power within the state (3) The relationship between the legislative (lawmaking) and the executive (law-executing) branches of the government Classification by Who Can Participate Democracy •In a democracy, supreme political authority rests with the people •A direct democracy exists where the will of the people is translated into law directly by the people themselves Dictatorship •A dictatorship exists where those who rule cannot be held responsible to the will of the people •An autocracy is a government in which a single person holds unlimited political power •An oligarchy is a government in which the power to rule is held by a small, usually self-appointed elite Classification by Distribution of Power •Unitary Government •A unitary government has all powers held by a single, central agency.

How is power distributed in a SS7CG1 The student will compare and contrast various forms of government.  a. Describe the ways government systems distribute power: unitary, confederation, and federal.   b. Explain how governments determine citizen participation: autocratic, oligarchic, and democratic.   How is power distributed in a unitary: All power is held by one central authority. confederation: Power is shared between members since they all are wanting to make the same thing happen. All decisions are unanimous and there is no direct power. federal: Power is split between a Central government and a regional government. The Central government usually has more control. What voting rights do citizens have in these governments? autocratic: No voting rights for citizens Form of a dictatorship or monarchy. oligarchic: No voting rights for citizens except those that were part of a special group For example: Although only 20% of South Africans were white in the 1900s, they were able to govern and control the rest of the population that was mostly non-white. democratic: All citizens can vote for their leaders Citizens can vote for a leader and also impeach a leader. Citizens can also vote for their lawmakers.

Presidential Democracy: SS7CG1 The student will compare and contrast various forms of government. c. Describe the two predominant forms of democratic governments: parliamentary and presidential. Presidential Democracy: People vote for the President and Legislature President cannot dismiss the Legislature President can only serve a limited term President cannot propose bills, but can veto a bill that lawmakers create President is Head of State & Head of Government Appoints a Cabinet of officials to manage day-to-day needs Legislature is separate

Parliamentary Democracy SS7CG1 The student will compare and contrast various forms of government. c. Describe the two predominant forms of democratic governments: parliamentary and presidential. Parliamentary Democracy No separation of power between the Executive Branch and Legislative Branch A Prime Minister is the Head of the Government Prime Minister is elected by the Legislature To be elected, your legislature usually is of the same political party as you Prime Minister and Legislature is usually in the same political party Is sometimes easier to pass laws