Forms of Governments

Civics and Government Understanding SS7CG4 Compare and contrast various forms of government INTRODUCTION TO TERMS Government is necessary to keep order in society and to keep people safe.

To study governments, geographers look at the following: Systems – How the power is distributed. There are three systems. Types – Who rules and who participates. The types fall into one of the three systems.

Government is like a cake… Cake = System Ex: Unitary Chocolate = Type Autocratic Icing/Sprinkles = Subtype Absolute Monarchy Dictatorship

Types of Government are based on one key question: Types of Government are based on one key question: Who governs and what is the citizen participation? There are three types of governments: Autocracy, Oligarchy, and Democracy

1. Autocracy A government by a single person having unlimited power (domination through threat of punishment and violence). There are three types of Autocracies.

2. Dictatorship A country ruled by a single leader. The leader has not been elected and may use force to keep control. Examples: Adolf Hitler Saddam Hussein

3. Absolute Monarchy A monarch is a king, queen, emperor, empress, sultan, etc. The power is usually inherited or passed down from family members. The monarch has absolute power meaning they can make all decisions without consulting anyone. Examples: Saudi Arabia, Oman, Vatican City, Liechtenstein

4. Constitutional Monarchy Kings, queens, or emperors share power with elected legislatures. Generally the monarchs are nothing more than figureheads. The government is democratic that limits the monarch’s power. Example: Great Britain

5. Oligarchy A government in which a few people such as a dominant clan (family) or clique have power. The group gets their power from either military, wealth, or social status. Elections may be held but offer only one candidate. Candidate can claim that they won the election “fairly”.

6. Democratic This is not the same as the democratic party in the United States! In a democracy, the government is elected by the people. Everyone who is eligible to vote has a chance to have their say over who runs the country. A democracy is determined: Directly Through elected representatives (Ex: Electoral College) Examples: United States, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, France, and many others!

In a Democracy…. Individual freedom and equality is valued. Free elections are held No poll tax, no penalty for not voting Decisions are based on majority rule. All candidates can express their views freely. Citizens vote by secret ballot.

7. Parliamentary Democracy Examples: Canada, France, Australia People vote for the political party representative The political party representatives choose the leader (Prime Minister) who leads the government

8. Presidential Democracy President is chosen separately from the legislature However, in the United States, the electoral college elects the President. The people vote for the senators & representatives that make up the electoral college. Examples: United States, Yemen, Afghanistan

Executive: Prime Minister Parliamentary System Presidential System Executive: Prime Minister Executive: President Legislative Select Elect Elect Legislative Elect Citizens Citizens

Systems of Government are based on one question: Systems of Government are based on one question: How is the power distributed? There are three ways governments distribute power: Unitary Confederation Federal

Uni = One 9. Unitary A system of government in which ALL of the power is in the central government

Ways Government Distributes Power: Central is LARGER than regional Unitary Ways Government Distributes Power: Central is LARGER than regional Regional Authority Regional Authority Central Authority Regional Authority Regional Authority

10. Confederation A government that joins together groups or smaller governments. The central power has less power than the individual states. Examples: The United Arab Emirates (UAE), OPEC (it’s not a country, but a governing organization that countries belong to)

Ways Government Distributes Power: Central is SMALLER than Regional Confederation Ways Government Distributes Power: Central is SMALLER than Regional Regional Authority Regional Authority Central Authority Regional Authority Regional Authority

11. Federal A system of government where power is shared or divided between the central government and the state government.

Ways Government Distributes Power: Both Central and Regional Federal Ways Government Distributes Power: Both Central and Regional are equal Regional Authority Regional Authority Central Authority Regional Authority Regional Authority

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

12. Theocracy A government ruled by religious leaders according to religious law. Example: Iran

GOVERNMENT TERMS UNITARY FEDERAL CONFEDERATION AUTOCRATIC DICTATORSHIP ABSOLUTE MONARCHY CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC PARLIMENTARY/PRESIDENTIAL CONFEDERATION OLIGARCHIC THEOCRACY

Federal Power Distribution Central = Regional EQUAL Unitary Power Distribution Central > Regional GREATER than Confederation Power Distribution Central < Regional LESS than