Let’s Look at Government SS6CG4 The student will compare and contrast various forms of government

Democratic Governments Most common forms of democratic governments are parliamentary systems and presidential systems. Most common forms of democratic governments are parliamentary systems and presidential systems.

Parliamentary Systems In a parliamentary system the legislature holds the power In a parliamentary system the legislature holds the power The government is headed by a Prime Minister who is chosen by the legislature The government is headed by a Prime Minister who is chosen by the legislature The prime minister stays in office for a specified period unless he/she losses majority support in the legislature The prime minister stays in office for a specified period unless he/she losses majority support in the legislature If this happens, the prime minister must resign, and elections are held immediately If this happens, the prime minister must resign, and elections are held immediately

Parliamentary Systems Countries with parliamentary systems: Countries with parliamentary systems: Canada – Stephen Harper Canada – Stephen Harper 22 nd prime minister 22 nd prime minister Leader of Conservative Party Leader of Conservative Party Assumed office on February 6, 2006 Assumed office on February 6, 2006

Parliamentary Systems Australia – Julia Gillard Australia – Julia Gillard 27 th prime minister 27 th prime minister First woman prime minister First woman prime minister Leader of Australian Labor Party Leader of Australian Labor Party Assumed office on June 24, 2010 Assumed office on June 24, 2010

Parliamentary Systems United Kingdom – David Cameron United Kingdom – David Cameron 75 th prime minister 75 th prime minister Leader of the Conservative Party Leader of the Conservative Party Youngest prime minister at age 43 Youngest prime minister at age 43 Assumed office on May 11, 2010 Assumed office on May 11, 2010

Parliamentary System Germany – Angela Merkel Germany – Angela Merkel 34 th Chancellor (German equivalent to Prime Minister) 34 th Chancellor (German equivalent to Prime Minister) First female Chancellor First female Chancellor Assumed office on November 22, 2005 Assumed office on November 22, 2005

Presidential System The executive and legislative branches are separate bodies elected by the citizens The executive and legislative branches are separate bodies elected by the citizens There are checks and balances where each branch can overrule the other There are checks and balances where each branch can overrule the other The president answers to the voters The president answers to the voters People elect the president People elect the president Elections are held at set intervals Elections are held at set intervals

Presidential Systems United States of America – Barack Obama Assumed office on January 20, 2009 Serves a 4 year term Can be re-elected once

Presidential Systems Brazil – Dilma Rousseff Assumed office on January 1, 2011 Serves a 4 year term Can be re-elected once

Presidential System Mexico – Felippe Calderon Assumed office on December 1, 2006 Serves one 6 year term Cannot be re-elected

Presidential System Russia – Dmitry Medvedev Assumed office – May 7, 2008 Serves a 4-year term Can be re-elected once

Distribution of Power Unitary Unitary Confederation Confederation Federal Federal

Centr al Authori ty Unitary Ways Government Distributes Power Region al Authori ty

Centr al Authorit y Confederation Ways Government Distributes Power Regiona l Authorit y

Federation / Federal Ways Government Distributes Power Region al Authori ty Centra l Authori ty Region al Authori ty

Citizen Participation Autocracy Autocracy Oligarchy Oligarchy Democracy Democracy

How Governments Determine Citizen Participation Democracy OligarchicAutocratic Government Power Citizen Participation Government Power General Citizens’ Participation Government Power Citizen Participation Select Citizens’ Participation High Participation Low or No Participation

Quick Quiz Write your name on your paper Write your name on your paper Number your paper from 1 to 5 Number your paper from 1 to 5 Write T for true and F for false Write T for true and F for false

Write T for true and F for false _____ 1. The legislature hold the power in a presidential system _____ 1. The legislature hold the power in a presidential system _____ 2. Citizens participate fully in a democracy _____ 2. Citizens participate fully in a democracy _____ 3. Citizens participate fully in an autocracy _____ 3. Citizens participate fully in an autocracy _____ 4. The central government controls all power ina unitary system _____ 4. The central government controls all power ina unitary system _____ 5. Federal systems divide power between a central governmnet and smaller units _____ 5. Federal systems divide power between a central governmnet and smaller units

Credits Text – 6 th Grade Social Studies, Gallopade International Text – 6 th Grade Social Studies, Gallopade International Images – retrieved from Images – retrieved from Charts – retrieved from Charts – retrieved from