1. ONE Unitary Government System
SS7CG4 The student will compare and contrast various forms of government. A. Describe the ways government systems distribute power: unitary, confederation, and federal.
Unitary Government System
The central government holds almost all of the power.
Local governments (state/county systems) sometimes have power, but are still controlled by the central government.
Central government may change or abolish the way local governments operate.
Some elect officials who may make and enforce laws with no regard to the lower levels of government.
A good example would be a monarchy (area ruled by a king or emperor) ruler and advisors make most of the decisions.
An example, Saudi Arabia is a monarchy, King and advisors make most of the decisions.
ONE

2. Ways Government Distributes Power
Unitary
Ways Government Distributes Power
Regional Authority
Regional Authority
Central Authority
Regional Authority
Regional Authority

3. MANY Confederation Government System
SS7CG4 The student will compare and contrast various forms of government. A. Describe the ways government systems distribute power: unitary, confederation, and federal.
Confederation Government System
Local governments hold all of the power however it depends on local governments for its existence.
Central government has as much power as the local governments are willing to give.
MANY

4. Ways Government Distributes Power
Confederation
Ways Government Distributes Power
Regional Authority
Regional Authority
Central Authority
Regional Authority
Regional Authority

5. SHARED Federal Government System
SS7CG4 The student will compare and contrast various forms of government. A. Describe the ways government systems distribute power: unitary, confederation, and federal.
Federal Government System
Power is shared among different levels of government.
States have some powers the federal government does not have (collect property taxes and determine sales tax), federal also have some powers the state doesn’t (right to declare war and make treaties.
SHARED

6. Ways Government Distributes Power
Federation / Federal
Ways Government Distributes Power
Regional Authority
Regional Authority
Central Authority
Regional Authority
Regional Authority

7. Ways Government Distributes Power
All key powers are held by the central government
State/regional authorities hold most of the power
Unitary
Federal
Confederation
Strong central government
Weaker central government

8. Autocratic Government Ruler has absolute power.
SS7CG4 The student will and contrast various forms of government. B. Explain how governments determine citizen participation: autocratic, oligarchic, and democratic.
Autocratic Government
Ruler has absolute power.
Individuals do not have any rights to choose leaders or vote.
One.

9. Oligarchic Government
Means “government by the few”
A political party or small group takes over a government and makes all of the major decisions.
Very similar to an autocratic government.
Several.

10. Democratic Government
People play a much greater role in deciding who the rulers are and what decisions are made.
Decisions are usually made by majority votes but there are also laws in place to protect individual rights.
Many.

11. How Governments Determine Citizen Participation
High Participation
High Participation
Select Citizens’ Participation
General Citizens’ Participation
Government Power
Citizen Participation
Government Power
Government Power
Citizen Participation
Low or No Participation
Low or No Participation
Low or No Participation
Autocratic
Oligarchic
Democracy
ONE
SEVERAL
MANY

12. There are two types of Democracies:
Direct Democracy
People vote on all issues.
Exists in small societies where citizens can regularly meet and discuss issues.
An example is a Kibbutz in Israel.
Representative or Republic
People vote on representatives and give them the power to vote on issues.

13. Parliamentary Form of Democratic Government
SS7CG4 The student will and contrast various forms of government. C. Describe the two predominant forms of democratic governments: parliamentary and presidential.
Parliamentary Form of Democratic Government
People vote for those who represent the political party they feel best represents their views of how the government should operate.
The legislature they elect (parliament) makes and enforces the laws for the country.
The leader of parliament is called the prime minister or premier, recognized as head of government.

14. Presidential Form of Democratic Government
Also called a congressional form of government.
President or chief executive is chosen separately from the legislature.
Legislature makes and passes laws.
The president enforces the laws.

15. Difference
Prime minister is a member of a parliament.
President is in a separate branch of the government.

16. THE GOVERNMENT of ISRAEL
Type of Government- Parliamentary Democracy
Three Branches
The legislative branch is called the Knesset
The judicial branch is called the Supreme Court
They also have an executive branch
They do not have a written constitution but are working on a draft.
Citizens vote for political parties or groups rather than candidates.

17. Use the following information to complete the chart

18. Israel Executive Branch: The Roles of Prime Minister and President
There is not a separation of powers like we have in the US.
The prime minister is the head of government- (also called the chief executive), and makes the important political decisions.
The president is the head of state- a ceremonial leader or figure head
The president signs laws and appoint judges and people to other roles; however, it is considered an apolitical role, so he cannot “ intervene politically nor express personal views on issues that divide the public."
The legislature is called the Knesset (US: Congress:: Israel: Knesset)
Citizens vote for the Knesset
The Knesset elects the president.
The Knesset also elects the prime minister and the president then ceremoniously agrees. This means the prime minister will be a member of the dominant (main) political party.

19. Israel Voting Rights and Personal Freedoms
Every citizen over 18 has the right to vote.
Entire country is a single electoral district.
Every citizen has one vote. All votes carry equal weight.
Voting by secret ballot.
Human rights and liberties part of basic law of Israel.
Israel ranks 50 out of 168 for freedom of the press by Reporters Without Borders.
Amnesty International disapproves of Israel’s human rights records due to Arab-Israeli conflict.

20. The Government of Israel
Citizen Participation
Democratic
Distribution of Power
Unitary

21. THE GOVERNMENT of SAUDI ARABIA
Saudi Arabia has an Absolute Monarchy
The King holds executive and legislative power in Saudi Arabia so he is head of government and chief of state.
The King currently makes decisions (autocracy) but the group of princes will select the next king after the current one dies (oligarchy).

22. Council of Ministers
The King is assisted by the Council of Ministers, similar to a cabinet.
The King can appoint and dismiss the members, and can overrule all of its decisions.

23. Legislative Branch: Consultative Council
This too is an advisory council appointed by the king.
Set up similar to a legislature, but can not make final decisions on laws.

24. Saudi Arabia is Divided into 13 Provinces or Areas
The king appoints the governors of each province (prince, governor or emir).
Each province has a council made up of members appointed by the king.

25. The Constitution There is NO constitution
Instead the Quran is considered the constitution.

26. Judicial Branch: Supreme Council of Justice or Supreme Courts
Court rulings are interpreted by Sharia Law according to the Quran.
Judges called Quadi make decisions based on the Islamic Laws.
There are no juries.
The king can overrule judgments.

27. Citizen Rights and Personal Freedoms
People must be Muslim to hold citizenship status in Saudi Arabia.
Public practice of other religions other than Islam is prohibited. Have strict dietary laws, no pork, no alcohol
Women have little personal freedom, no driving on public roads, no voting, have to dress modestly.
Limited freedom of the press.
90% of the people are Sunni Muslim.
Only males who are citizens over the age of 21 can vote in local elections

28. The Government of Saudi Arabia
Distribution of Power
Unitary
Citizen Participation
Autocratic
Strict Sharia law – restricts individual freedoms
Male citizens only can vote in local elections

29. THE GOVERNMENT of IRAN

30. Iran Government Structure

31. Type of Government Theocratic Republic or Theocratic Democracy
Part of the government is a Theocracy because certain government positions are held by religious leaders
Part of the government is a democracy that votes for representatives (republic)

32. Three Branches Legislative: Islamic Consultative Council or parliament
Judicial: Supreme Court or High Council of Judiciary or Sharia Courts
Executive
Ayatollah or Supreme Leader is chief of state- he holds ultimate political power.
President is head of government and official chief of state.
There are also three councils that advise the executive: the Assembly of Experts (religious conservatives who appoint the Ayatollah), Expediency Council, and Council of Guardians of the Constitution (appointed by the Ayatollah and determine whether proposed legislation is both constitutional and follows Islamic law)
YOU DO NOT NEED TO KNOW THESE THREE COUNCILS

33. Iran: Voting Rights and Personal Freedoms
Universal suffrage.
Voting age: 16
Voter turnout is high – Iranians value what little democratic power they have.
Freedom House rates Iran freer than Saudi Arabia.
Government demands compliance with Islamic law in personal and public life.
Male-dominated society.
Women are barred from significant economic and political roles.
Religious minorities – including Sunnis – are granted little room for participation (ethnic minorities as well).
Restrictions on freedom of expression.
Abuse, torture and imprisonment without charge occur.
Attacks on demonstrators occur regularly.
Political groups opposed to the government are mostly repressed.
Recognized religions include Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians, but their activities are strictly controlled.
Freedom of assembly is written into the constitution but is in fact limited.

34. Iranian Citizen Participation
VERY UNCLEAR- many shades of gray! Should know how each term applies but will not be tested on this information.
Autocratic- Ayatollah makes all decisions- holds all political power
Oligarchic- small group of religious officials choose Ayatollah
Some parts are democratic- there is some voting.

35. Distribution of Power in Iran
Unitary – all power is held by the central government

36. Type Of Government
Legislative (What do they do? What are they called?)
Makes Laws
Judicial (What do they do? What are they called?)
Interpret Laws
Executive (What do they do? What are they called?)
LEADER of GOVERNMENT
Enforces Laws
Personal Freedoms (Who can vote? Can they choose their religion? Other rules?)
Who can participate? (Autocratic, Oligarchic, or Democratic)
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
How government distributes power? (Unitary, Confederation, or Federal)
Israel
Iran
Saudi Arabia

37. Type Of Government
Legislative (What do they do? What are they called?)
Judicial (What do they do? What are they called?)
Executive (What do they do? What are they called?)
LEADER of GOVERNMENT
Personal Freedoms (Who can vote? Can they choose their religion? Other rules?)
Who can participate? (Autocratic, Oligarchic, or Democratic)
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
How government distributes power? (Unitary, Confederation, or Federal)
United States
Presidential Democracy
Congress (House of Representatives and Senate)
Supreme Court
President (people vote for)
Many rights: freedom of religion, universal suffrage
Democratic
Federal-central and regional authorities share power
Israel
Parliamentary Democracy
Knesset (appoints president and prime minister)
Prime Minister
Unitary-central government has all power
Iran
Theocratic Republic
Islamic Consultative Assembly
Supreme Court or High Council of Judiciary or Sharia Courts
Ayatollah or Supreme Leader
Universal suffrage; little freedom of religion
Autocratic- due to Ayatollah all powerful
Oligarchic- some people can vote
Democratic- they may see themselves as such as they vote on some things
Saudi Arabia
Absolute Monarchy
Consultative Council
Supreme Council of Justice or Sharia Courts
King
Must practice Islam; only men can vote, little freedom of press
Autocratic right now but oligarchic after King dies b/c the emirs (500 princes) will vote for the next King