1. Government and It’s Many Forms

2. What is government? There are many definitions; There are many definitions; the organization, that is the governing authority of a political unit the organization, that is the governing authority of a political unit the ruling power in a political society the ruling power in a political society the apparatus through which a governing body functions and exercises authority the apparatus through which a governing body functions and exercises authority It may be easier to understand government by it’s fundamental purpose ……

3. Fundamental Purpose Maintain basic security and provide public order Maintain basic security and provide public order All other actions (decisions on public policy, economic involvement, etc) are choices made that nations make to fit their individual needs As such, there are many different types of government and even those that share the same name are very different in practice.

4. Classifying Governments Governments can be classified in 3 different ways: Governments can be classified in 3 different ways: Who may participate in the government Who may participate in the government How is power distributed b/w the levels of government How is power distributed b/w the levels of government What is the relationship b/w the executive and legislative branches What is the relationship b/w the executive and legislative branches

5. Participation DEMOCRACY Direct Direct Indirect (Representative) Indirect (Representative) Republic Republic DICTATORSHIPS Are authoritarian and absolute (TOTALITARIAN) Autocracy Oligarchy MONARCHY Constitutional Constitutional Absolute Absolute

6. Distribution of Power UNITARY Very common Very common Central government creates other units for its own convenience Central government creates other units for its own convenience Power Sharing FEDERAL CONFEDERAL

7. Relation b/w Exec & Leg Branch PRESIDENTIAL PRESIDENTIAL Independent and coequal Independent and coequal PARLIAMENTARY Ex branch is the Prime Minister/Premier and their cabinet Members of the majority party Chosen by the Leg branch

8. The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly Since govts can be classified by these 3 categories, it is possible to have many different combinations (ie a Parliamentary Democracy) Since govts can be classified by these 3 categories, it is possible to have many different combinations (ie a Parliamentary Democracy) IS Any 1 form better than another???? IS Any 1 form better than another????