1. 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

2. Power is divided between one central and several regional authorities.
Federation / Federal
Power is divided between one central and several regional authorities.
Regional Authority
Regional Authority
Central Authority
Regional Authority
Regional Authority
Australia, USA, Germany, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Belgium, Spain

3. Power is held by one central authority.
Unitary
Power is held by one central authority.
Regional Authority
Regional Authority
Central Authority
Regional Authority
Regional Authority
China, North Korea

4. Confederation
Voluntary association of independent states that gives few powers to the central authority.
Common Purpose
Agree to certain limitations on their freedom of action.
States retain considerable independence.
Less binding than a federation.
(Politics)

5. Ways Government Distributes Power
Confederation
Ways Government Distributes Power
Regional Authority
Regional Authority
Central Authority
Regional Authority
Regional Authority
European Union
Historical
Holy Roman Empire
Confederate States of America

6. 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 /
Autocracy
Oligarchic /
Oligarchy
Democracy

7. Autocratic/Autocracy
One person possesses unlimited power.
The citizen has little to no role in government.
The oldest form of government.
One of the most common
Maintains power through inheritance or ruthless use of military and police power.

8. Forms of Autocracy
Theocracy = Religious authority and government authority are one in the same.
Monarchy = Supreme power is in the hands of a monarch, usually for life and by hereditary right
Can be sovereign, i.e. king, queen with a constitution, etc. or absolute ruler.
Constitutional Monarchy = A king or queen has to follow a constitution. Their rights and duties are spelled out for them.
CIA World Factbook Notes and Definitions

9. Forms of Autocracy Absolute/Totalitarian Dictatorship
Ideas of a single leader glorified.
Government tries to control all aspects of social and economic life.
Government is not responsible to the people.
People lack the power to limit their rulers.
i.e. Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin
Remy, Richard C., United States Government- Democracy in Action (Columbus, OH: Glencoe, McGraw-Hill, 2006)

10. Forms of Autocracy Absolute Monarchy
King, queen, or emperor exercises the supreme powers of unlimited government power.
Usually inherited.
People lack the power to limit their rulers.
Absolute monarchs = rare today but used to rule most of Western Europe.
i.e. King of Saudi Arabia
Remy, Richard C., United States Government- Democracy in Action (Columbus, OH: Glencoe, McGraw-Hill, 2006)
King Abdullah

11. Oligarchy
Government by the few usually for corrupt and selfish purposes.
The citizen = very limited role.
power = military, social, wealth, religion or a combination.
Political opposition is usually suppressed- sometimes violently.
i.e. China, Caesar's Triumvirate
Leaders in the party and armed forces control government.

12. Republican Systems
Republic = Citizens vote for representatives to represent the citizens in government.
The representatives vote on legislation not the citizens
Federal/Federation = sovereign power is formally divided – i.e. constitution – between the central authority and regional governments (states).
The central authority has control over regional governments and individuals.
CIA World Factbook Notes and Definitions

13. Republican Systems
Federal Republic = The U.S. Individual states retain sovereignty limiting the power of the central authority.
Parliamentary = Prime Minister is nominated by the majority party. (United Kingdom)
Upper House voted in by lower house.
Lower House voted in by citizens.
Cabinet leader cam dissolve Parliament if it can’t function.
CIA World Factbook Notes and Definitions

14. Parliamentary Democracy
The Head of State and the head of the government are different.
For example: England
Prime Minister, David Cameron (Head of Government) elected by legislature
Monarchy, Queen Elizabeth II (Head of State)
Remy, Richard C., United States Government- Democracy in Action (Columbus, OH: Glencoe, McGraw-Hill, 2006)

15. Presidential Democracy
The Head of State and Head of the Government are the same person
The president is constitutionally independent of the legislature.
Remy, Richard C., United States Government- Democracy in Action (Columbus, OH: Glencoe, McGraw-Hill, 2006)