SS6CG1 Forms of Government

The student will compare and
contrast various forms of

government.
Describe the ways
government systems
distribute power: unitary,
confederation, and
federal.
Unitary Governments
All the power to decide anything
rests in a central government.
A unitary government is
what Britain was during
the American Revolution;
We were a nation united
under control of one rule.
There were no separate
states creating their own
laws or taxes, just the rule
of the government over
the entire population.
Buckingham Palace, Great Britain
A great majority of all the world’s nation-states are unitary systems,

including Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Great Britain, The
Netherlands, Japan, Poland, Romania, the Scandinavian countries,
Spain, and many of the Latin-American and African countries.
Confederation Governments
a union by
compact or treaty
between states,
provinces, or
territories, that
creates a central
government with
limited powers;
the states retain
supreme authority
over all matters
except those few
things delegated
to the central
government. The original 13 U.S. Colonies formed a Confederation.
Federal Governments
a form of government in which sovereign power is divided - usually by means of a
constitution - between a central authority and a number of constituent regions (states,
colonies, or provinces) so that each region retains some management of its internal
affairs; differs from a confederacy because the central government has influence
directly upon both individuals as well as upon the regional units.
If a service or
responsibility is
not listed in the
constitution for
the national
government to
do, then it is up
to the state to Example: police, fire, hospitals, education,
roads, voting, etc. are the responsibility of
provide it. the states to fund and operate.
Review
Unitary Confederation Federal
Agreement among Power is divided

Power rests in the
States/regions creates a Between the central
central government
Limited central government Government and the
States/regions
Central government has

No control over the
States/regions. Central government has
Some control over the
States/regions.
Explain how
governments determine
citizen participation:
autocratic, oligarchic,
and democratic.
Autocratic Governments
In an autocratic government, one person or group holds all the power,
without the participation, or sometimes even the consent, of the people.
I have compete control You will do exactly

over everyone and what I say!
everything!
The word
“autocracy,” the
opposite of
democracy, comes
from the Greek
words: “autos”
meaning “self” and
“kratos” meaning
Absolute Military
“power.”
Monarchy Dictatorship
Oligarchic Governments
a government in which control is exercised by a small group of
individuals whose authority generally is based on wealth or power.
The word
oligarchy is
from the Greek
for "few" and
"rule".
Democratic Governments
a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people,
but which is usually exercised indirectly through a system of representation
and delegated authority periodically renewed.
When citizens
directly participate
in government by
voting, it’s called
democracy.
The word
“democracy”
comes from two
Greek words: The United States has had the same type of
“demos” meaning government for more than 200 years. It’s called
“people” and a “representative democracy.” Among the
“kratos” meaning nations of the world, it is unusual for a system
“power” or of government to last so long.
“authority.”
Review
Autocracy Oligarchy Democracy
A small group of people The people elect

One person has all have all the authority, representatives who
the power usually based on wealth have authority to make
or power. decisions for them.
The people have Only a few people

no right to say what All people have a right
have a right to say
the government does to say what the
what the government
government does
does
Describe the two
predominate forms of
democratic
governments:
parliamentary and
presidential.
Parliamentary Governments
a political system in which the legislature (parliament) selects the government - a
prime minister, premier, or chancellor along with the cabinet ministers - according to
party strength as expressed in elections; by this system, the government acquires a
dual responsibility: to the people as well as to the parliament.
The majority
party controls
the government
Queen: Head of State
Prime Minister: Head Cabinet Members

Parliament
of Government
Presidential Governments
a system of government where the executive branch exists separately from a
legislature (to which it is generally not accountable).
I’m elected by
the people
We’re
elected by
the people
We are appointed
by the president
with the approval of
congress.
The three branches of the U.S. government check and balance each other.
Parliamentary vs. Presidential
Democracies
Parliamentary System Presidential System
Joining of powers Separation of powers
Executive branch members Clear separation between

are also executive and legislative
legislative branch members branches
The government’s
Parliament elects the head of
executive (the President)
government; head can be
is separate from
voted out by parliament
Congress
Political parties are strong; Political parties have less
the opposition party is of a role in the
important to control of the government
government
Created by Debra Harrington

SS6CG1 Forms of Government

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

SS6CG1 Forms of Government

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

SS6CG1 Forms of Government

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The student will compare and

contrast various forms of

A great majority of all the world’s nation-states are unitary systems,

Agreement among Power is divided

Central government has

I have compete control You will do exactly

A small group of people The people elect

The people have Only a few people

Prime Minister: Head Cabinet Members

Joining of powers Separation of powers

Executive branch members Clear separation between

You might also like