1. Systems & Forms of Government

2. Where did “government” come from? How did it begin?

3. Types of Government
Monarchy
Democracy
Autocracy
Oligarchy

4. Monarchy Power is inherited, or passed down, through family.
Absolute monarchy: rulers claimed complete power, sometimes by divine right. Whatever they said was law.
Constitutional monarchy: king/queen serves as head of state, but actual power is held by an elected legislature called Parliament.

5. Democracy Power is held by the people.
Direct democracy: citizens directly debate and decide public issues.
Representative democracy: citizens elect representatives to make important decisions on public issues.

6. Other Forms… Autocracy: Only one person holds absolute power.
Examples: absolute monarchy; dictatorship
Oligarchy: this means “rule by a few”; a group of people controls the government.
Theocracy: rule by a god or higher power; religious rulers lead the society and religious law is used to rule.
Example: Islamic Republic of Iran
Anarchy: no government; no one is in charge.

7. Federal Confederal Unitary Systems of Government
*This refers to the relationship between the central government and the local regions.

8. Unitary Central government is all-powerful
Local regions have their own governments, but they can only do what the central government allows.
Examples:
United Kingdom
France
Sweden
Central Authority

9. Federal
Power is shared between the local regions and the central governments.
Each has responsibilities concerning their level of government.
Examples:
United States
Mexico
Brazil
India
Central Authority
Regional Authority

10. Confederal
Independent parts (states/regions) form an association, but do not give up any of their own power.
They may assign some tasks to the central government.
Examples:
European Union
Regional Authority
Regional Authority
Regional Authority
Regional Authority
Regional Authority
Central Authority
Regional Authority

11. Chosen by majority of the members of Parliament
PRESIDENTIAL
PARLIAMENTARY
Head of State:
President
Prime Minister
Selection:
Elected by voters
Chosen by majority of the members of Parliament
Separation of Powers:
Divided amongst branches
None
Term:
Fixed terms as determined by Constitution
Prime minister has no fixed term
Removal:
Impeachment
Prime minister can be removed by vote of Parliament; PM can dissolve Parliament and call for another election

12. Beliefs on obtaining power:
SOCIALISM
COMMUNISM
Beliefs on obtaining power:
Introduced gradually by electing socialist governments
Can only be achieved by violent revolutions
Economic Policies:
Gov’t ownership of transportation, energy, and other key industries, but kept private property and free enterprise
Rid of private ownership; gov’t plans the use of all resources
Actions in power:
Established state-owned industries and welfare states; offered public services such as free healthcare, but taxes were incredibly high to offset costs
Established dictatorships; opponents were imprisoned or killed; free thought not allowed