Structures of World Government

1. Structures of World Government “No two governments are, or ever have been exactly alike, for governments are the products of human needs and experiences.”

2. Three questions help classify the basic structures of government: • How is power distributed? • What is the relationship between the legislature and the executive? • Who takes place in the governing process?

3. Geographic Power Distribution • UNITARY • FEDERAL • CONFEDERATE

4. UNITARY • all power belongs to one body • local governments are subject to the central government and have only those powers given to them by the central government. • Unitary governments are not necessarily totalitarian or dictatorships.

5. FEDERAL • power is divided between a central government and several regional governments • a superior power controls both the central and regional governments • Ex: a constitution • both levels act directly on the people through their own sets of laws, officials, and agencies

6. CONFEDERATE • an alliance of independent states • a central government has only the powers that the member states give it • the member states act independently on state matters; however, function as a group when matters of common concern arise (such as military and foreign trade)

7. Relationship between the legislature and executive • PRESIDENTIAL • PARLIAMENTARY

8. PRESIDENTIAL System • Separation of legislative & executive powers • Powers are independent and coequal • Chief Executive is: • chosen separate from the legislature • holds office for a fixed term • has powers not subject to the direct control of the legislature • Uses a System of Checks and Balances

9. PARLIAMENTARY System • Executive branch consists of a Prime Minister (PM) or Premier and their cabinet • PM is a member of parliament - he/she is the head of the majority party and is chosen by his/her party • PM selects the cabinet with parliament's approval • PM is selected by; a part of; and subject to control of the parliament

10. PARLIAMENTARY (cont.) • The PM and the cabinet remain in office only as long as they have the confidence of the majority - “Vote of No Confidence” • A new PM is either selected by the parliament or a general election takes place and all seats of parliament go before the voters • No System of Checks and Balances

11. Participation in the Governing Process • DICTATORSHIP • DEMOCRACY

12. Authoritarian Dictatorship • Those in power do not listen to the will of the majority = absolute power • Gov’t is not accountable for its policies or the way they are carried out • Dictatorships are often militaristic and gain power by force • Two types : • Autocracy – one person controls all • Oligarchy – small, self appointed group controls • Totalitarian dictatorships are more extreme

13. DEMOCRACY • supreme political power rests with the people • Rule of the majority • Power is exercised by the people directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections

14. DIRECT DEMOCRACY • People represent themselves individually - typically in the form of mass meetings • The (majority) will of the people is translated directly into law • Only works in small communities • Does not exist on a national level anywhere

15. INDIRECT DEMOCRACY • More commonly referred to as a Representative Government • A small group of persons chosen by “the people” to act as representatives in expressing the popular will • These people are responsible for the making and executing of laws • Elections determine how well these people are carrying out their job • This kind of government is also referred to as a Republic