Principles of Government - Paulding County Schools
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Transcript Principles of Government - Paulding County Schools
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 Dictatorship- absolute
the power to govern is
rule generally by force
held by one person
Absolute Monarchy Generally the power
absolute rule inherited
to rule is inherited or
through family ties
by military force
Constitutional
There are three types
Monarchy-share
of autocracy
power with elected
officials, seen for as
Example: Iraq, and
figurehead with
Great Britain
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 DemocracyPeople 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