1. Systems of Governments

2. To study governments, geographers look at the following:
Types – Who rules and how do citizens participate?
Systems – How is the power distributed?

3. Systems of Government are based on one question: How is the power distributed?
There are three ways governments distribute power:
Unitary
Confederation
Federal

4. Unitary One central government controls weaker states.
Power is not shared between states, counties, or provinces.
Examples : United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and former Soviet Union

5. Unitary Diagram:

6. Unitary Governments of the World (All countries in blue)

7. Confederation Two Options: Examples: Confederate States of America
A. A voluntary or weak association of independent states that agrees to follow a central government.
Each state makes its own laws and the central government is only concerned defense, trade and/or money.
B. Nations can choose to follow or not follow the lead of the weak central government.
Examples: Confederate States of America
( ), European Union, Switzerland

8. Confederation Diagram:

9. Federal Power is shared by a powerful central government.
States or provinces are given considerable self rule, usually through their own legislatures.
Examples: United States of America, Federal Republic of Germany

10. Federal System Diagram:

11. Federal Governments of the World (All countries in green)

12. Written Summary: How is the power distributed politically?
Image from Center of Civic Education. 2008