Distribution of Power: Unitary, Confederation, and Federal.

Unitary Governments

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.

All the power to decide anything rests in a central government.

Buckingham Palace, Great Britain

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.

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 provide it.

Review

Unitary

Confederation

Federal

Power rests in the

central government

Agreement among

States/regions creates a

Limited central government

Central government has

No control over the

States/regions.

Power is divided

Between the central

Government and 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.

The word “autocracy,” the opposite of democracy, comes from the Greek words: “autos” meaning “self” and “kratos” meaning “power.”

Absolute Monarchy

Military Dictatorship

You will do exactly what I say!

I have compete control over everyone and everything!

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.

The word “democracy” comes from two Greek words: “demos” meaning “people” and “kratos” meaning “power” or “authority.”

Review

Autocracy

Oligarchy

Democracy

One person has all

the power

The people have

no right to say what

the government does

A small group of people

have all the authority,

usually based on wealth

or power.

Only a few people

have a right to say

what the government

does

The people elect

representatives who

have authority to make

decisions for them.

All people have a right

to say what the

government does

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.

Cabinet Members

Prime Minister: Head of Government

Queen: Head of State

Parliament

The majority party controls the 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.