Chapter 1: Lesson 2 - Types of Government

What do federal, unitary, and confederate systems of government have in common?

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Totalitarianism

A form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator. A single leader controls all aspects of social and economic life. Dictators are often tyrannical (Cruel and oppressive)

Republic

A government in which the voters hold sovereign power. That power is exercised by elected representatives who are responsible to the population's desires (i.e United States).

Confederate System

A loose union of independent states

Constitution

A plan that provides the rules for government - may be written or unwritten. Purposes : (1) Sets out nation's goals and ideals; (2) Establishes the framework for government; (3) Provides the supreme law for the country

While the United States and Great Britain each have representative democracies, why one is a republic and the other is not?

A republic = A government in which the voters hold sovereign power. That power is exercised by elected representatives who are responsible to the population's desires. United States (Britain is a Monarchy).

Oligarchy

A system of government in which a small group holds power Derives power from wealth, military power, social position or some combination thereof; Often creates the appearance of control with the people

What is the difference between an absolute monarchy and a constitutional monarchy?

Absolute Monarchy = Complete and unlimited control; Claimed sovereignty from God (divine right); Ex: Saudi Arabia, Swaziland Constitutional Monarchy = Monarch shares power with elected lawmakers; Most common today. Ex: Great Britain

_________________ and ____________________ assure that elected officials are held responsible for their actions and that people are aware of the actions their government is taking.

Accountability and Transparency

Unitary System

All key powers are reserved to the national or central government, which has the power to create state, provincial, or other local governments

Monarchy

Any system of government ruled by a king, queen, emperor, czar usually inherited. (1) Absolute Monarchy - Complete and unlimited control; claimed sovereignty from God (divine right). (2) Constitutional Monarchy - Monarch shares power with elected lawmakers; Most common today

What are the differences between authoritarian and democratic governments?

Authoritarian = Government leadership controls all aspects of the citizens' economic, social, and political lives; Power is concentrated in the hands of one or a few people; Opposition to the government is not allowed and is often severely punished. Democratic = Sovereignty rests with the people. Government exists only by the consent and trust of the people. Government reflects the will of the majority.

Democratic Government

Based on democracy. (1) Direct Democracy - People make all decisions through voting; most possible in small communities; (2) Representative Democracy - The will of the majority expressed through chosen/elected representatives; Representatives are responsible to the people for their conduct.

Principles of Democracy

Citizen Participation, Regular Free and Fair Elections, Accepting the Results of Elections, The Rule of Law, Majority Rule with Minority Rights, Accountability, Transparency, Limited Government and a Bill of Rights, Control of the Abuse of Power, Economic Freedom, Equality, Individual or Human Rights, Independent Judiciary, Competing Political Parties - Slides 12-15 in PPT Chapter 1: Lesson 2

In a __________________ system of government, key powers belong to independent sovereign states.

Confederate System

A ____________________ sets out shared ideals, establishes the basic structure, powers, and duties of government, and provides the supreme law for the country

Constitution

A bill of rights, often attached to a country's ________________, limits the power of government and explains the freedoms that are guaranteed to all people.

Constitution

Constitutional Government

Constitutional government is limited government. The constitution has the authority to place limits on the powers of those who govern. Constitutions are incomplete guides

A ________________ government derives its power from the consent and trust of the people, who rule either directly or through elected representatives

Democratic

What are the types of authoritarian governments, and what defines each?

Dictatorship = A single leader controls all aspects of social and economic life Oligarchy = A system of government in which a small group holds power Monarchy = Any system of government ruled by a king, queen, emperor, czar

What are the types of democratic governments and what defines each?

Direct Democracy = People make all decisions through voting Most possible in small communities. Representative Democracy = The will of the majority expressed through chosen/elected representatives.

Federal System

Divides the powers of government between the national and state or local governments. Each level has some areas of sovereignty.

A democracy depends on citizen participation in _________________, which are regular, free, and fair, involve more than one party, and lead to a peaceful transfer of power.

Elections

In a __________________ system of government, the powers are divided between the national and state or provincial governments.

Federal System

Authoritarian Government

Government leadership controls all aspects of the citizens' economic, social, and political lives. Often called totalitarian because power is concentrated in the hands of one or a few people. Opposition to the government is not allowed and is often severely punished. Examples: Dictatorship, Oligarchy, Monarchy.

In a democracy, the courts and the judicial system should be ____________________ and impartial

Independent

A constitutional government is a _________________ government because the constitution places clearly recognized boundaries on the powers of those who govern.

Limited

In a ________________, one person has great power, usually through inheritance.

Monarchy

Identify the fourteen principles of democracy and explain why these would not be principles of an authoritarian government.

Read Slides 12-15

What are the purposes of a constitution?

Sets out nation's goals and ideals Establishes the framework for government Provides the supreme law for the country

Democracy

Sovereignty rests with the people. Government exists only by the consent and trust of the people. Government reflects the will of the majority.

How are they exemplified in the U.S. Constitution?

The Preamble = Sets out nation's goals and ideals The Articles = Establishes the framework for government Constitutional Law = Provides the supreme law for the country

Authoritarian governments are sometimes referred to as ______________________ states because the government has total control.

Totalitarian

What are the advantages of each of the three systems of government?

Unitary = Centralized power. Confederate = States' rights were highly protected Federal = Power is shared among different levels of government and central government still has a lot of power

What are the disadvantages of each of the three systems of government?

Unitary = Less power given to localities Confederate = Weak central power Federal = Each level of government can make its own laws, which sometimes conflict

In a _________________ system of government, all key powers belong to the central government.

Unitary System

Democratic governments often control the _________________ of power by limiting the powers of government officials.

abuse

Other principles of democracy include economic freedom, individual or_______________________ rights, and the concept that all individuals should be valued __________________.

human rights; equally

In a democracy, no one is above the law and the rights of the _________________ are protected even though the majority rules.

minorities