Geographer's Perspective: Types of Government and Political Systems
In a presidential republic, the power of the president is kept in balance by power given to __________.
A. a legislative body
In __________ monarchies, the position of king or queen is passed down within families and is not subject to a popular vote.
A. hereditary
In a parliamentary republic, a __________ often serves as both head of state and head of government.
A. prime minister
The power of monarchs is limited by a fundamental set of laws in a(n) __________.
B. constitutional monarchy
In a dictatorship, a(n) __________ leader possesses complete power to direct a country.
B. autocratic
With fifty member states that retain their own rights, the United States is an example of a(n) __________ state.
B. federal
A secular government seeks to separate its decisions and policies from __________ influences.
B. religious
A(n) __________ state is comprised of a single, solitary state without consenting member governments.
B. unitary
Which of the following situations best represents a hereditary change in leadership?
C. A queen dies, and her son becomes king.
Instability and violence between feuding warlords in the 1990s made Somalia an example of a(n) __________.
C. anarchy
In a republic, __________ represent territories and citizens in government.
C. elected officials
A government ruled by a king or queen is a __________.
C. monarchy
Which of the following definitions best describes the term devolution?
C. the breakup of a state into smaller, independent states
Iran is considered a __________ because its government bases laws on Sharia law.
C. theocracy
North Korea, China, and Cuba are modern examples of governments that legally or practically permit only one political party. In single-party states, other parties and their points of view are prohibited or discouraged. Write a short paragraph discussing a country's motivation for creating a single-party government. Why would a country want to limit the number of parties in its system?
Countries that establish single-party governments may seek to promote unity among residents. They may desire a unified set of goals and procedures for the country's future. They may also desire stability and protection against change.
The king or queen has the ultimate authority to make decisions and direct the state in a(n) __________.
D. absolute monarchy
What are the roles of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches?
Executive: To carry out federal laws and recommend new ones, direct national defense and foreign policy, and perform ceremonial duties. Legislative: To make laws and judicial: To interpret the laws
What consequences might a country face when it deals with a state of anarchy? How can a state of anarchy result in violence and safety risks?
The lack of governmental authority and structure in a government facing a state of anarchy results in a lack of oversight. During the 1990s, Somalia's central government devolved into warfare between tribal and warlord leaders, resulting in increases in violence and crime.
Write a short paragraph evaluating unitary states and federal states. In your opinion, which type of state is a more effective way of managing a country's government?
federal states may include points about the rights of members, the ability to collaborate or disagree with a federal government, and the benefits of creating a larger government. Answers discussing unitary states may discuss more centralized government, the ability to operate a state more efficiently, and the ability to create and apply laws to all citizens more easily.
In a few sentences, evaluate monarchies as forms of government. In your opinion, does it make sense to place power in the hands of one individual? Why or why not?
the benefits of centralized power in the hands of one person, such as the ease in determining a new leader in a hereditary system. the dangers or difficulties in placing power in the hands of a single leader, and they may reference constitutional monarchies as an example of placing checks on a monarch's power.
