1. Systems of Government

2. Classifying Governments No 2 governments are exactly alike No 2 governments are exactly alike Over time political scientists have come up with different ways to classify governments Over time political scientists have come up with different ways to classify governments One way to classify governments is by how power is distributed, within the state One way to classify governments is by how power is distributed, within the state

3. Geographic distribution of Governmental Power There are three basic systems of Government that are based on position of governmental power: Unitary Government Unitary Government Federal Government Federal Government Confederate Government Confederate Government

4. Unitary Government A unitary government is A unitary government is often described as a centralized often described as a centralized government government Under a unitary government Under a unitary government all the powers belong to a all the powers belong to a central agency central agency

5. Unitary Government, cont The government comes up with its own local agencies & governments for its own convenience The government comes up with its own local agencies & governments for its own convenience The central government The central government could do away with these local could do away with these local agencies & governments at anytime agencies & governments at anytime The government does not have all power, some voting does exists The government does not have all power, some voting does exists

6. Unitary Government, cont Advantages Advantages Decision making can be quicker, since the central government has all real power Decision making can be quicker, since the central government has all real power Often tax dollars are better utilized Often tax dollars are better utilized

7. Unitary Government, cont Disadvantages Disadvantages Little/no checks & balances within the government Little/no checks & balances within the government Regional/local issues can be “forgotten” Regional/local issues can be “forgotten”

8. Example of Unitary Government Great Britain Parliament makes up the whole government There are some local governments, but they were just created to make it easier on Parliament Parliament could eliminate these governments at any time

9. Federal Government A federal government is one in which the powers of government are divided between a central government and regional/local governments A federal government is one in which the powers of government are divided between a central government and regional/local governments This is shown with a division of powers between the central and regional/local governments This is shown with a division of powers between the central and regional/local governments

10. Federal Government, cont In the US, the constitution stands above both levels of government, and can not be changed unless the people agree to said changes In the US, the constitution stands above both levels of government, and can not be changed unless the people agree to said changes

11. Federal Government, cont Advantages Advantages Regional/local governments are often more in tune with the daily needs/wants of the people Regional/local governments are often more in tune with the daily needs/wants of the people Offers representation to more people, regardless of the size of their region/locality

12. Federal Government, cont Disadvantages Disadvantages Sometimes there can be Sometimes there can be overlapping of powers and overlapping of powers and confusion regarding which level of government is responsible for what confusion regarding which level of government is responsible for what This system can be very expensive as more people are elected to office

13. Example of Federal Government United States One central government (National) Several local government (States) Constitution divided powers between these two levels and this cannot change unless the citizens want it to

14. Confederate Government A confederation is a loose alliance of independent states A confederation is a loose alliance of independent states Under this government, the government holds limited powers in such fields as defense and foreign commerce Under this government, the government holds limited powers in such fields as defense and foreign commerce

15. Confederate Government, cont A confederate structure makes A confederate structure makes it possible for states to cooperate in matters of common concern and still retain their separate identities it possible for states to cooperate in matters of common concern and still retain their separate identities Nothing, however, can require the states to cooperate which each other if they choose not to Nothing, however, can require the states to cooperate which each other if they choose not to

16. Confederate Government, cont Advantages Advantages Keeps power at local levels and minimizes the size of government Keeps power at local levels and minimizes the size of government Allows for independent states to have strength in numbers while also retaining their autonomy Allows for independent states to have strength in numbers while also retaining their autonomy

17. Confederate Government, cont Disadvantages Disadvantages Weak central government makes it Weak central government makes it impossible to enforce laws or collect taxes impossible to enforce laws or collect taxes Independent states are not Independent states are not not obligated to cooperate or work together not obligated to cooperate or work together

18. Example of a Confederate State Confederate States of America- government of the Southern states during the Civil War Created a loose confederation of those 11 states They did this because they didn’t like the fact that the federal government had some powers over them