Principles of Government Systems, Forms, and Types
Dec 28, 2015
Principles of Government
Systems, Forms, and Types
Standard: SSCG 19 : Compare and
contrast governments that are unitary, confederal, federal, autocratic, oligarchic, democratic, presidential and parliamentary.
Essential Question What are the similarities
and differences between the many forms of government including; unitary, confederal, federal, autocratic, oligarchic, democratic, parliamentary and presidential?
Objectives Learn the four essential features of a “state” (not a
“State”). Learn the four theories about the origination of states Understand the difference between unitary, confederal
and federal systems of government Learn about the three major forms of government Identify key characteristics of democratic government
“State” or “state?”
“State” (capitalized) refers to a political subdivision of the United States, such as the State of Montana
“state” (lower case) refers to a nation-state or country, such as France or the United States
Theories on Origin of states
Divine right (God given right to rule) Social contract (Society’s need for order) Force theory (organize to resist enemies) Evolutionary theory (extended family rule
became government)
Systems and Types of Government
In order to study government, we first need to look at the following:
Systems: How is the Power distributed
Types: Who rules and who participates
Systems of government are based on one question…
…How is the power distributed?
There are three ways governments distribute power: Unitary Confederation Federal
Unitary
One central government controls everything
Power is NOT shared between states, counties, or provinces.
Examples: The United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, and Spain
Unitary Governments
Confederal
A voluntary association of independent states that agrees to follow a central government.
States can choose to follow or not follow the lead of the central government
Examples: CSA, Russian Federation
Federal
Power is shared by a central government
States or Provinces are given considerable self-rule, usually through their own legislatures.
Examples, the United States and Germany
Federal Governments
Systems of Government
Types of government are based on one question…
…Who governs and what is the citizenship participation?
There are three types of government: Autocracy Oligarchy Democracy
Autocracy
Government in which the power to govern is held by one person
Generally the power to rule is inherited or by military force
There are three types of autocracy
Example: Iraq, and Great Britain
Dictatorship- absolute rule generally by force
Absolute Monarchy-absolute rule inherited through family ties
Constitutional Monarchy-share power with elected officials, seen for as figurehead with limited to no power
Oligarchy
A government in which a few people such as a dominate clan or clique hold all the power
The group gets their power through either military, wealth, or social status
Elections may be held but offer only one candidate
Examples: Greek-City states, Russian Federation.
Democracy
Ruled by the people Individual freedom and
equality is valued Free elections are held Decisions are based on
majority rule Citizens vote by secret
ballot Example: the United
States
Two forms of democracy
Direct Democracy- People vote on all issues
Representative Democracy (Republic)- citizens elect representatives and give them the power to vote on the issues
Two Major Types of Democratic Governments
Parliamentary Voters elect members to
Parliament House of Commons-the
Political Party with the most votes in the House of Commons chooses the Prime Minister, the government’s leader with no set length of term
House of Lords: little power with most members being nobles having inherited their titles
Presidential Voters elect legislatures Voter elect (indirectly) the
president Therefore, in the
presidential system voters have a more direct say about those who serve in two branches of the government
Legislative Executive