1. What is a government?

2. A government is a group that is given authority to rule a country
In a democracy the authority to rule comes from popular sovereignty
Most democratic govts separate power by using branches, no one branch has more power than the other “checks & balances”
Federal Republic (ex: US)
Congress

3. Parliamentary System (ex: France) (
Parliament: Two Houses
Prime Minister
President
Constitutional Monarchy (ex: Britain)
Parliament: House of Lords
& House of Commons
Prime Minister
Crown Court
Monarch

4. British Parliament US Congress Legislative Branch
Most have two houses (bi-cameral) – each house has a leader
Members elected by the people as their representative
Write “bills” usually based on what people they rep. want
If majority of leg. branch votes for bill it goes to the executive branch
Approves appointments made by executive branch, power to impeach
British Parliament
US Congress

5. Executive Branch
Leader can be one person or shared by two people, elected by people directly/indirectly or born into
Signs the bills from legislature, making it law. Enforces the laws
Power to veto a bill from legislature (2/3 vote overturns veto)
Leader(s) appoint a cabinet to help run the country

6. Evaluates laws to make sure they don’t violate the constitution
Judicial Branch
Evaluates laws to make sure they don’t violate the constitution
This branch is made up of judges and juries
US Supreme Court & Federal judges are appointed by the executive branch and confirmed by the legislative branch
Local judges are usually voted in by the citizens
Juries are made up of citizens