1. Introduction to Governments in Europe
Written by Ms. Brown
Revised by Mrs. Martz

2. Branches of Government
Generally, government has three branches:
Executive Branch – enforces the laws of a country (President)
Legislative Branch – makes the laws of a country (Congress)
Judicial Branch – interprets the laws of the country (Supreme Court)

3. Government
Government is the way people keep order in countries or societies.
Governments have different structures and different levels of citizen participation.
Government structure determines how power is distributed within a country.
Citizen participation determines how individuals within a country can influence their government.

4. Government Structure-How power is distributed
There are three main types of government structures:
Unitary
Confederation
Federal

5. Unitary Governments
Form of government where power is held by one central authority.
One central government controls weaker states.
Power is not shared between states
United Kingdom is an example. (It makes decisions for Britain, Scotland, Northern Irelend, Wales)
France, Spain are examples. .

6. Unitary Government
Central Government
state
state
state
state
state

7. Confederation Weak or loose organization of states
Individual states can choose to follow central national government or not follow it
Power is with states, but they choose to follow central government
Examples: Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), European Union.

8. Confederation
Central Government
state
state
state
state

9. Federal Governments
Form of government where power is shared by central government and states
Examples: Germany, Russia, United States

10. Federal Governments
Central Government
states
states
states
states

11. Citizen Participation
In some countries around the world, people can participate in their governments through leading, voting, or even protesting.
In other countries, citizens are not allowed to participate in their governments.

12. There are three major classifications for government participation:
Autocratic
Oligarchic
Democratic

13. Autocratic Government in which one person possesses unlimited power
citizen has little (if any) role in government.
Often, these leaders are called Dictators and their governments Dictatorships.
Kim Jong Il, dictator of North Korea
Czar Nicholas II of Russia

14. Oligarchic Government by the few. Ruled by a small group of people
The citizen has a limited role.
Examples: Cuba, Russia

15. Democratic Government in which the power is given to the citizens
Citizens exercise that power
through voting.

16. Direct Democracy – people vote directly on issues
Representative Democracy – people elect leader to make decisions for them
Examples of Democracies: United States

17. 2 Kinds of Democratic Governments
1. Parliamentary
Head of government (prime minister)
Prime minister chosen from the legislature
The head of gov’t is the leader of the majority party in the legislature
Example: the United Kingdom

18. 2 Kinds of Democratic Governments
2. Presidential
Head of government is president
President is chosen by people; independent from legislature
Example: United States