1. The Distribution of Power in Governments Today
Section 4

2. Introduction
Read together as a class.

3. Section 2: The Origins and Evolution of Government
Over time, some farming villages grew into cities and city-states.
Gradually, power in many city-states became concentrated in the hands of a single ruler.
In the fifth century B.C.E., the Greek city-state of Athens made a radical change in its form of government. T
Reorganized their city-state as a direct democracy. 
Public decisions are made directly by citizens meeting together in an assembly or voting by ballot. 

4. Some monarchs ruled with the best interests of their people in mind
Some monarchs ruled with the best interests of their people in mind. Others ruled as despots, or tyrants, who used their power for selfish ends. Growing dissatisfaction with this form of government triggered a series of world-altering revolutions, first in Europe and then in the American colonies.

5. The Forms of Totalitarianism

6. Forms of Government in Today's World
Monarchy: Rule by the One Hereditary Ruler
Dictatorships: Rule by the One Powerful Leader
Theocracy: Rule by the Few Religious Leaders
Single-Party State: Rule by the Political Elite
Direct Democracy: Rule by All Citizens
Parliamentary Democracy: Rule by a Legislative Majority
Presidential Democracy: Rule by Representatives of the People

7. The Distribution of Power in Governments Today
Section 4

8. Unitary Systems Centralize Power
Definition:
a system of government in which power is centralized in the national government;
regional governments only exercise powers given by national government

9. Unitary Systems Centralize Power
Pros:
• promotes national unity
• all parts of the country follow the same laws and policies

10. Unitary Systems Centralize Power
Cons:
broad public policies may not fit the needs of the entire country or population
central government officials cannot know the needs of every locality

11. Federal Systems Divide Power
Definition:
a system of government in which power is divided between national and regional governments

12. Federal Systems Divide Power
Pros:
• works well for large, diverse countries
• gives regional governments flexibility in meeting diverse needs

13. Federal Systems Divide Power
Cons:
• works well for large, diverse countries
• gives regional governments flexibility in meeting diverse needs

14. Confederal Systems Decentralize Power
Definition:
a system of government in which power resides in the regions, which are independent states;
the central government gets power from regional governments

15. Confederal Systems Decentralize Power
Pros:
allows regional governments to unite for some purposes without giving up the power to run their own affairs
gives regional governments flexibility to meet local needs

16. Confederal Systems Decentralize Power
Cons:
central government may be too weak to meet the needs of the nation as a whole
may lead to conflict between regions

17. Economic Systems Around the World Today
Section 5

18. Introduction
Economic systems: a way of organizing the production and consumption of goods and services
Exist because
People have certain needs in order to survive
People have unlimited wants

19. Three Fundamental Economic Questions: What to Produce, How, and for Whom?
Every economic system must answer these three questions:
1. What goods and services should be produced?
2. How should these goods and services be produced?
3. How should the people share goods and services?

20. The Four Factors of Production
These factors are the resources required to produce most goods and services.
They include:
Land
Labor
Capital
Entrepenurship

21. The Four Factors of Production

22. Traditional Economies: Decision Making By Custom
Definition:
an economic system in which decisions about what goods and services to produce and how are made on the basis of tradition

23. Traditional Economies: Decision Making By Custom
Pros:
• tradition and community values keep the economy running smoothly
• people can provide for themselves

24. Traditional Economies: Decision Making By Custom
Cons:
• very low standard of living
• limited access to goods and services

25. Market Economies: Decision Making By Individuals
Definition:
An economic system that relies mainly on markets to determine what goods and services to produce and how

26. Market Economies: Decision Making By Individuals
Pros:
• efficient at meeting people’s needs, based on demand
• competition keeps prices from rising too high
• business investment helps the economy grow

27. Market Economies: Decision Making By Individuals
Cons:
• instability; periods of growth usually alternate with recessions
• unequal distribution of wealth

28. Command Economies: Decision Making By Government Planners
Definition:
an economic system that relies mainly on the central government to determine what goods and services to produce and how

29. Command Economies: Decision Making By Government Planners
Pros:
• can ensure full employment
• can control prices and bring stability to the economy
• distributes income more equally

30. Command Economies: Decision Making By Government Planners
Cons:
Workers have little incentive to work hard or to produce quality goods
Government planners are less efficient than the market at making economic decisions