1. Get out your syllabus slip and folder if you have them. Write our weekly schedule in your planner if you have it.

2. Government What words and ideas come to mind when you hear this term?

3. Topic: Systems of Government Essential Question: How do different systems of government operate to maintain order?

4. Government is a tool that is used to protect rights and maintain order in society. However, there are different ways to achieve this. Not every country around the world organizes their government in the same way. There are 4 different systems of government we see in the world today. These are parliamentary, unitary, federal, and confederal. Let’s take a look at each of these 4 systems of government.

5. Parliamentary System In a parliamentary system of government, the power to make and enforce laws is given to a parliament. In most countries with a parliamentary system, the people elect the members of parliament. This parliament makes the laws of the country. The members of parliament then chose a member of parliament to be the leader of the country. This person (sometimes called a prime minister) enforces the countries laws. What makes a parliamentary system unique is this link between the law-making (legislative) and law-enforcing (executive) branches of the government.

6. Here is a visual of a parliamentary system: Parliament Prime Minister The people The people elect the members of parliament and parliament chooses the prime minister.

7. Which countries have a parliamentary system? Canada United Kingdom (England) Australia India South Africa

8. Turn to your shoulder partner. If your birthday comes FIRST in the year, then you are a 1. If your birthday is second, you are a 2. 1’s- answer this question to your shoulder partner- Who is in charge in a parliamentary system of government? 2’s- share out your partner’s answer

9. Unitary System In a unitary system of government, the power to make and enforce laws is held at only one level, usually the national (central) level. A unitary system can many forms. Some may be democratic (meaning the people have a say in their government) or non-democratic (meaning the people do not have a say in their government).

10. Here is a visual of a unitary system: The people National (Central) Government The national government rules over the people directly.

11. Which countries have a unitary system? China Chile Spain Most of Africa Unitary System of Government

12. 2’s- answer this question to your shoulder partner- Who is in charge in a unitary system of government? 1’s- share out your partner’s answer

13. Federal System In a federal system of government, the power to make and enforce laws is shared between two or more levels of government. The top level is the national (central) government. Below them are the states. Some countries have provinces instead of states. Even though the power is shared between levels, it is not shared equally. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS MORE POWER THAN THE STATE GOVERNMENTS.

14. Here is a visual of a federal system: National Government State Government The people The national government gives certain powers to the states, and the people are ruled by both levels.

15. Which countries have a federal system? Federal System of Government United States Mexico Australia Russia

16. 1’s- answer this question to your shoulder partner- Why is the United States considered a federal system of government? 2’s- share out your partner’s answer

17. Confederal System In a confederal system of government, the power to make and enforce laws is shared between two or more levels of government. There is a national (central) government, however, most of the power lies with the states. THE STATES HAVE THE POWER TO OVERRULE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.

18. Here is a visual of a confederal system: The people Central Government State Government State Government State Government State Government There is a central government, but the individual states are more powerful.

19. Which countries have a confederal system? The confederal system is government is not very common. However, there are a few places around the world that have a form of confederal government. They are: Belgium Switzerland The United Nations There is a also a famous example of a country that used to be a confederation: The United States of America during the years 1777-1789. Why did we quit being a confederal system of government? More about this later!

20. 2’s- answer this question to your shoulder partner- What make a confederal system different from a federal system? 1’s- share out your partner’s answer