Unitary, Federal, and Confederation Governments 3 Ways Government Systems Distribute Power
Continuum of Government Strong Central Government Weak Central Government Strong Central Government Weak Central Government ________________________________ ________________________________ Unitary Federal Confederation Unitary Federal Confederation
Unitary Governments Central government has all of the power Central government has all of the power Constitution outlines the duties, powers, and people of the central government Constitution outlines the duties, powers, and people of the central government Central government can give power to or create lower levels of government and can take back that power at any time Central government can give power to or create lower levels of government and can take back that power at any time Example: France Example: France
Examples of Unitarian Governments United Kingdom and France United Kingdom and France
Federal Governments Has a constitution that outlines the rights and responsibilities of the central government Has a constitution that outlines the rights and responsibilities of the central government Power is divided between the central government and the lower levels of government Power is divided between the central government and the lower levels of government Central government does not have the power to take away states’ rights or do away with these lower levels of government Central government does not have the power to take away states’ rights or do away with these lower levels of government Examples: Germany (their constitution is called Basic Law) and the U.S. Examples: Germany (their constitution is called Basic Law) and the U.S.
Examples of Federal governments Austria, Belgium, Germany, and Russia Austria, Belgium, Germany, and Russia
Confederations Groups come together to support each other and work on common problems (work as partners) Groups come together to support each other and work on common problems (work as partners) Usually formed by a treaty Usually formed by a treaty Membership is voluntary Membership is voluntary Example: Commonwealth of Nations and the European Union Example: Commonwealth of Nations and the European Union
Examples of Confederations European Union European Union British Commonwealth of Nations British Commonwealth of Nations