Types of Government

US Government

TheocracyA form of government in which religious leaders

rule in the name of God

DictatorshipA form of government in which the leader has

absolute power and authority

Dictatorships generally come in two forms:

Autocracy

A form of dictatorship in which the power is held by an individual

OligarchyA form of dictatorship in which the power is held

by a small, usually self appointed group

DemocracyA form of government in which the supreme

authority rests in the people

Distribution of Power

Unitary Government

All powers belong to a single, centralized agency

Federal GovernmentPower is divided between a central government

and local governments

Local Governments

Central Government

ConfederationAn alliance of independent states

Relationship Styles between branches

Presidential Style When the executive and legislative branches are separate and and independent of one another.

Parliamentary StyleWhen the chief executive (prime minister) is a

part of the legislature... usually part of the majority party.