Government Latin America

Unitary- a state ruled by one central government Central Governments All power is given to the one branch of government and local governments must follow the central government. local

examples  CubaBolivia True or False: In a unitary government, the national government could remove the governor of a state and pick a new one. True

Confederation - A system in which regional governments are independent and have more power than the central government. central

Some countries agree that they would be better able to solve problems or provide help if they worked together… Why join a confederacy? 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. Membership is usually voluntary & a country can decide to leave at any time.

examples  Bolivia, North Peru, and South Peru has a confederacy from 1836 to  It didn’t last long! NO PRESENT DAY CONFEDERATE GOVERNMENTS IN LATIN AMERICA

Disadvantages of confederate governments Often have little power because a high percentage of members must agree to decisions made. Individual countries can veto decisions. Changes in the constitution requires all members to agree…takes a long time. Confederations generally have a weak central government.

Federal- power is divided and shared between one central, regional, and local governments. central

examples Mexico Columbia Venezuela Argentina Brazil

Facts about federal government  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.

UnitaryConfederationFederal A state ruled by one central government. Regional governments are independent and have more power than the central government Power is divided and shared between one central, regional, and local governments. Central government holds all the power. Regional ( local ) Governments hold most of the power. Central and local governments share the power. Set uniform policies for a whole nation. Could make decision- making easy. Countries can volunteer to be members. Countries agree on common bonds such as currency and trade. Central and local governments work together. Local governments may still be able to create their own laws and choose their own leaders. Federal government can appoint a local leader. Decisions may take too long. Not all countries may agree. Some state laws may cause conflict. Definition Who holds the power? Advantage Disadvantage

Citizen participation What role do citizens play in their governments?

autocracy  Power is in the hands of a single person.  Absolute Power- citizens have no say in the laws. Citizens have no say in who their leader is.( no elections ) Leaders are most likely chosen though bloodline.

Examples of autocratic governments in latin america Cuba  Fidel Castro ( right ) led Cuba from  He stepped down due to failing health.  His brother Raul took his place and has been leading the country ever since.

a small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution. Leaders are most likely chosen by and within the small group.

Power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives.

example  Mexico  Enrique Peña Nieto  Brazil Dilma Dilma Rousseff

Definition citizen participation examples AutocracyOligarchyDemocracy Power is in the hands of a single person. King/Queen Dictator Tyrant Despot Power is in the hands of a few people. Power is vested in the people ( citizens ), who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives. Citizens have no say in the government or who becomes leader. ( No elections ). Leaders are chosen by bloodline. Citizens have no say in the government or who become leader. Laws and leaders are decided among the small group. Citizen conduct either a direct election or election through representatives. They also have a say in their government. CubaNo known oligarchic governments. Many industries and corporations are run in an oligarchic system. Brazil and Mexico

DIRECT  Aka- pure democracy  People vote directly for a leader or a law.  Most common in smaller populated countries.  Examples: None in Latin America REPRESENTATIVE  People vote on leaders and laws through a representative.  Used in large populated countries.  Examples: All democratic countries in Latin America Two types of democracy

Presidential  a head of government is also head of state and leads an executive branch that is separate from the legislative branch. Two types of Representative democracy executive legislature Citizens- through a representative elect President

Parliamentary Two types of Representative democracy executive legislature Citizens elect  a system of government where power lies with the legislative body and the leader of the country is part of the legislature. Prime Minister The party with the most representatives elects

Presidential  Chief Executive  Head of State  NOT HEAD OF LEGISLATURE  Elected by citizens through representative.  President Parliamentary  Chief Executive  NOT HEAD OF STATE  Head of Legislature  Elected by majority party in Legislature who were elected by citizens.  Prime Minister Compare and contrast

Examples in latin america Blue- Presidential Democracies Red- Parliamentary Democracies What do the red countries have in common?

DemocracyDirectRepresentativePresidentialParliamentary

Economics Study of how societies decide:  What to produce.  How to produce it.  How to distribute what they produce.

Factors of Production  Land, labor, and capital; the three groups of resources that are used to make all goods and services.

Natural Resources  Gifts of nature that make production possible.  you.htm you.htm

Scarcity  There are a limited amount of goods and services that are available to meet unlimited wants.

Trade  Exchange of goods and services.

Specialization  When people, businesses, regions, and/or nations concentrate on goods and services that they  can produce better than anyone else. They trade with countries that cannot make or provide that product. In return, they will receive products they cannot make or provide for themselves.

Import/Export  Import- Goods and services bought domestically but produced in other countries.  Export Goods and Services sold to other countries.

Traditional Economy  The customs and habits of the past are used to decide what will be produced, how it will be produced, distributed and consumed.  Jobs are handed down from generation to generation. Examples: Farmers Hunters Gatherers Craftsmen- potter, blacksmith, cooper, shearer, tanner.

Command Economy  Government planning groups make the basic economic decisions.  Government decides:  What to produce  How to produce  Who to produce for.  Prices.  Wages Government owns and controls all factories, farms and businesses

Market Economy  Individual buyers and sellers determine.  What is produced  How its produced  Who to produce for.  Individuals and corporations own the businesses and competition determine prices and wages.  Examples:  Mexico  Brazil  United States

Mixed economy  Almost all countries have characteristics of traditional, market and command economies.  Example  Most countries have small communities that barter and create their own products.  Most countries have individuals creating their own businesses and controlling their productions, distibutions and consumptions.  Most countries have their government create laws to protect both businesses and individuals.

Who owns businesses and farms? Brazil  Private citizens and corporations.  Government owns the country’s steel industry. Cuba  Government owns most of the businesses.  Very few farms are privately owned.

Who decides what to produce and how much to produce? Brazil  Private citizens and corporations. Cuba  Government planners.

Who decides how goods and services will be produced? Brazil  Private citizens and corporations. Cuba  Government planners.

Who decides on distribution methods for goods and services? Brazil  Private citizens and corporations. Cuba  Government planners.

Who decides the prices on goods and services? Brazil  Buyers an sellers based on supply and demand. Cuba  Government planners.

How are property rights protected? Brazil  Laws are in place, but a poor court system is a problem for protecting property rights. Cuba  Since judges and courts are controlled by the central government, very few ( if any ) property rights are allowed.

How difficult is it to start your own business? Brazil  It’s a time-consuming process. It could take months. Cuba  Very little private ownership is allowed.

Trade barriers  What countries may do to limit trade.  Why would a country want to limit trade?

Tariff- a tax on imports

quota- specific limit placed on the number of imports that may enter a country

Embargo- a government order stopping trade with another country.