1. AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
Unit 1—Note Packet 2
Coach Styles

2. UNIT ONE TEXT ASSIGNMENT—pages 12-17
Identify the following terms: A) confederacy B) constitution C) preamble D) constitutional government E) economic interdependence F) constitutional law G) developing nation H) industrialized nation I) The Federalist J) faction
Compare and contrast a unitary government and a federal government system.
What are the main purposes of a constitution?
What role do special interest groups play in government?

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MAJOR TYPES OF GOVERNMENT
Governments can be classified in a variety of ways.
In some instances, governments can be viewed and classified from the standpoint of the relationship between their legislative and executive agencies.
This type of classification yields two basic forms of government:
Presidential Government: Features a separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches of government. The two branches are independent of each other and coequal in power.
A system of checks and balances maintains a balance of power between the two branches.

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Parliamentary Government: The executive is made up of the prime minister or premier and their cabinet.
Under this type of government, the executives themselves are a member of the legislative branch—the parliament.
The prime minister is the leader of the majority party and is chosen by that party. The P.M. remains in office only as long as his/her policies and administration have the confidence of the majority of parliament.
A parliamentary government does not experience the prolonged conflicts and gridlock between the executive and legislative branches that often plague presidential governments—but neither is there a system of checks and balances.

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The most time-honored system of classifying governments comes once again from the ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle.
Governments may be classified according to who governs the nation-state.
Under this system of classification, all governments belong to one of THREE MAJOR GROUPS:
Autocracy: System of government in which the power and authority to rule are in the hands of a single individual.
This is one of the oldest and most common forms of government.
This form of government yields two main subgroups:

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Autocracy (cont)
Absolute Dictatorship: Type of autocracy in which the ideas of a single leader are glorified and government seeks to control all aspects of the social and economic lives of its citizens.
Those who rule are not held responsible to the will of the people, who have no way to limit the power of their rulers.
Examples?
33/45, 22/43, 24/53, 79/03

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Monarchy:
Form of autocratic government in which a king, queen, or emperor exercise the supreme powers of government. Two types of monarchy:
Absolute monarchy (example: Saudi Arabia)
Rare today, but kings/queens ruled most of Western Europe from the 1400s to 1700s.
Constitutional Monarchy (example: Great Britain)
Monarchs either share power with legislatures or serve mainly as ceremonial leaders of their countries. (usually inherited)
King Salman (Saudi Arabia)
Queen Elizabeth II (Britain)

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MAJOR TYPES OF GOVERNMENT (continued)
Oligarchy: A system of government in which a small group holds power.
This group derives its power from wealth, military strength, and/or social position and prestige.
This is the type of government seen in the majority of communist countries such as China.
Both dictatorships and oligarchies sometime claim they rule for the people.
They may even claim to hold free elections—but offer only one candidate or manipulate the results.

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Democracy: Any system of government in which the power to rule is in the hands of the people.
Pericles, a great leader of ancient Athens, said, “Our constitution is named a democracy because government is in the hands not of the few, but of the many.”
May take one of two forms:
Direct Democracy: People govern themselves by voting on issues individually as citizens. Exist mainly in very small societies where citizens can actually meet regularly to discuss and decide key issues and problems. (ex: New England towns and smaller states—cantons—of Switzerland) Another example of direct democracy today here in America is the referendum.
Representative Democracy (Republic): The people elect representatives and give them the power and responsibility to make laws and conduct government. A system of limited government where the people have the ultimate power.

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CHARACTERISTICS OF A DEMOCRACY:
Individual liberty
Majority rule with minority rights
Free elections
Competing political parties

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5 Criteria For a Successful Democracy:
Active Citizen Participation
Informed on issues, consistent voters, jury duty, run for political office, communication with government officials
A Favorable Economy
Opportunity to control our own economic decisions—free market capitalism—limited government interference
Widespread Education
Offered to every American
Strong Civil Society
Voluntary associations, economic groups, religious organizations—existing independently of the government (American Red Cross, Salvation Army, NRA, Humane Society)
Social Consensus
Citizens accept and value democracy, liberty, equality, etc.