1. How are the same forms of government used differently in different places?

2. Do Now: Take out your documents from yesterday
2) Discuss! To what extent are the author’s viewpoints valid to our democratic system? Why is that the case?

3. How can we characterize our government?
Is it a democracy?
Is it a republic?
Is it a representative democracy?
Is it a republican form of government?

4. Constitutional Republic
State where the officials are elected as representatives of the people
Must govern according to existing constitutional law
these laws limits the government's power over citizens

5. Goals of our Government
Social Contract makes it necessary to give up certain rights in order to gain security and protection
Individual rights must be limited for the greater good and welfare of many
Competing viewpoints must be blended and adjusted (few views only have two sides)

6. How does our government compare to others around the globe?

8. Why were these governments established among these countries?

10. Differences among governments
Please reflect on the following information with your groups, and be prepared to share how you would characterize the following governments.
Oligarchy
Unitary Government
Federal Government
Confederation
Presidential Government
Parliamentary Government

11. Oligarchy vs. Unitary
Oligarchy: government in which power is held by a small, usually self-appointed elite (Russia!)
Unitary: centralized government where all powers are held by a single, central agency (Great Britain!)

12. Federal vs. Confederation
Federal Government: powers of government are divided between central/local governments (USA)
Confederation: alliance of independent states and central government only has the power that the states allow (US/ Articles of Confederation!)

13. Presidential vs. Parliamentary
Presidential Government: features a separation of powers between the executive and the legislative branches
Parliamentary Government: the executive is made up of the prime minister and that officials cabinet

14. But are these governments a reality?
Congo is considered a “Republic”
Russia is considered a “Presidential Federation”
Syria is considered a “Presidential Republic”
Based on what you may know of these countries, do you believe that these governments are an accurate characterization? Why or why not?