1. Forms of Government

2. How are Governments classified?
Who can participate in the governing process.
What is the geographic distribution of governmental power within the state.
What is the relationship between the legislative and executive government.

3. Democracy
A system of government in which the political authority is vested in the people.
A Democratic Republic is based on popular sovereignty, the concept that ultimate political authority is based on the will of the people, rather than with a King or Monarch.
Popular Sovereignty: People hold the ultimate power over government.

4. Democracy Two Types of Democracy
Representative-A form of government in which representatives elected by the people make and enforce laws and policies.
Direct-A system of government in which political decisions are make directly by the people rather than elected representatives.

5. Quick Discussion
What type of Democracy does the U.S. practice?

6. Basic Concepts of Democracy

7. Unitary System Power is at the central level
And dictated to the lower levels
COUNTRIES TO KNOW:
United Kingdom…
”Parliamentary Sovereignty”…
Scotland Example
STATES
CITIZENS

8. Confederal System…what did we call the Articles Government
Confederal System…what did we call the Articles Government???…other than stupid
Power is held by independent states.
COUNTRIES TO KNOW:
Articles of Confederation Government…what were the
Weaknesses??
STATES
CITIZENS

9. Federal System COUNTRIES TO KNOW: United States
Canada…but it’s Canada, so don’t worry about
Power is divided among Federal, State,
and local government.
STATES
CITIZENS

10. Geographic Distribution of Power
Unitary Government – A centralized government where all powers held by the government belong to a single, central agency. This does not imply a dictatorship.
Federal Government – The powers of government are divided between a central government and several local governments. Sound familiar?
Confederate Government – An alliance of independent states. Very rare today, the EU is close.

11. 5 Basic Concepts of a Democracy
Worth of the Individual
Equality of All people
Majority Rule, Minority Rights
Compromise
Individual Freedom (Not Anarchy!)

12. Quick Discussion
Do we fulfill the 5 basic concepts of democracy? Why or why not?

13. Democracy and the free enterprise
Our economic system is a free enterprise system
A system characterized by the private ownership of capital goods, investments are made by private decisions and success/ failure is determined by competition in the free market.
Law of Supply and demand governs much of our economy.

14. Government’s role in our Economy
Our government does participate in our economy though. It serves to:
Protect the public and preserve private enterprise
Regulations…Good or bad?
A economy that exists with a considerable amount of government regulation and promotion is called a mixed economy.

15. Representative Democracies

16. Communism
A radical faction that broke away from the socialist movement
Abolished capitalism
Instituted socialism through a dictatorship
Government controls ALL enterprises
Replaced free markets by central planning
Example: Soviet Union

17. Dictatorships
One ruler controls every aspect of life and is not responsible to the will of the people
All dictatorships are authoritarian and modern dictatorships have tended to be totalitarian
Lesser of two evils is authoritarian
Types of Dictatorships:
Oligarchy- Power to rule is held by a small group of self-appointed elite
Autocracy-Single person holds unlimited power
Examples: Soviet Union (Stalin), Nazi Germany (Hitler), Italy (Mussolini)

18. Totalitarianism
A political system that denies popular participation in government and exercise complete power over nearly every part of every day life
Example: North Korea

19. Fascism
An ideology that promotes nationalism and unites behind an absolute ruler.
Example: Nazi Germany

20. Monarchy
Monarchy- A political system in which power is passed from generation to generation through Blood
Absolute Monarchy-King/Queen controls the government completely
Constitutional Monarchy- Citizen elect members of parliament

21. Relationship between Legislative and Executive Branches
Presidential Government
The two branches are co-equal and independent
President is chosen independently of the legislature
Parliamentary Government
Executive branch is made up of a prime minister or premier, and that official’s cabinet
The executive is chosen by the legislatures, and is subject to its direct control

22. Monarchies Around the World
Red: Absolute Monarchy
Orange: Semi-Constitutional Monarchy
Dark Green: Constitutional Monarchy
Light Green: Personal Union with Constitutional Monarchy
Pink: Sub-State level monarchy

23. Who is truly “Free”?
Free
Partly Free
Not Free

24. The Cow System
PURE SOCIALISM: You have two cows. The government takes them and puts them in a barn with everyone else's cows. You have to take care of all of the cows. The government gives you as much milk as you need.
FASCISM: You have two cows. The government takes both, hires you to take care of them and sells you the milk.
PURE COMMUNISM: You have two cows. Your neighbors help you take care of them, and you all share the milk.
RUSSIAN COMMUNISM: You have two cows. You have to take care of them, but the government takes all the milk.
CAMBODIAN COMMUNISM: You have two cows. The government takes both of them and shoots you
DICTATORSHIP: You have two cows. The government takes both and drafts you.