1. African Governments
SS7CG1 The student will compare and contrast various forms of government.
a. Describe the ways government systems distribute power: unitary, confederation, and federal.
b. Explain how governments determine citizen participation: autocratic, oligarchic, and democratic.
c. Describe the two predominant forms of democratic governments: parliamentary and presidential.

2. I. Forms of Government
Unitary – a single, national government has all of the power. There is no state or local government that is independent of the national government
Central government has all the power to make laws and decisions for the people
The central government controls smaller, weaker regions (states, cities, etc)
Examples: Kenya, Egypt, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Liberia, Lesotho, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Israel, and China

3. Unitary Central > Regional

4. Forms of Government
Confederation –made up of various provincial or state governments. There is a loose national alliance between them, but most of the power is with the provincial or state governments. The national government has some power, but the smaller governments within the confederation have a great deal of power
Voluntary alliance of independent regional authorities come together for a specific purpose (trade, security, etc.)
Often assign only a few powers to the central authority
Individual states make their own laws and decisions
Less binding than a federation
Examples: OPEC, United Nations, and European Union

5. Confederations Central < Regional

6. Forms of Government
Federations – government in which a strong national government shares power with provincial or state governments. Most of the power is in the hands of the national government, but some authority is reserved for the state or province.
States are given considerable self-rule
Examples: South Africa, Nigeria, Ethiopia, United States, and India

7. Federation Central = Regional

8. Ways Government Distributes Power
All key powers are held by the central government
State/regional authorities hold most of the power
Unitary
Federal
Confederation
Strong central government
Weaker central government

10. II. Citizen Participation
3 basic types of government
Autocracies
Oligarchies
Democracies

11. Autocracies Ruled by one self-appointed ruler or dictator.
Citizens do not have much say
The ruler does what he/she wants and does not need the approval of the people
Autocratic leaders rule until they die, are overthrown, or decide to resign from office
Autocratic leaders get their power from inheritance or ruthless use of military or police power
Types – absolute monarchy and absolute or totalitarian dictatorship
Examples: Muammar al Gaddafi was an autocratic leader of Libya until he was overthrown and killed

12. Oligarchies
Ruled by a small group (Elite families, military officers, religious leaders, and/or members of the upper class)
Those who are part of this dominant group have a say, but the citizens outside of elite group have very little say
Rulers get their power to rule from military power, social power, wealth, religion or a combination.
Political opposition is usually suppressed- sometimes violently
Types: theocracy and communism

13. How Governments Determine Citizen Participation
Autocracy & Oligarchy
Sometimes claim they rule for the people.
In reality, the people have very little say in both types of government.
Examples- May hold elections with only one candidate or control the results in various ways.
Examples- Even when these governments have a legislature or national assembly, they often only approve decisions made by the leaders.
Remy, Richard C., United States Government- Democracy in Action (Columbus, OH: Glencoe, McGraw-Hill, 2006)

14. Democracies Ruled by the people
Citizens have a voice in their government
Elect leaders and often get to vote on laws
People of all classes who are qualified citizens are allowed to vote and have a say in their government
The democratic leaders get their power from the citizens
Types: constitutional monarchy and republic
Example: South Africa

15. 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

17. 2 Major Forms of Democratic Government
Presidential Democracy
Parliamentary Democracy
Power rests predominantly with a legislative body or parliament
The parliament selects government ministers and elects a prime minister who serves as both the leader of the legislature and as the nation’s head of government
Often there is also a head of state (president or monarch), but the head of state has very little power
Citizens have a say- elect members of parliament who then choose government leaders
Power is divided between the legislature and an executive (usually called president)
President and legislature have clearly defined powers; they work together, but neither has authority over the other.
Citizens have a say- citizens elect their legislature and the president separately