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Types & Systems of Government

Types & Systems of Government. Unit 1: Foundation/theory of government & Constitutional Underpinnings. Types of government. Type of government: usually means who holds the power: Autocracy Oligarchy Democracy. Autocracy.

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Types & Systems of Government

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  1. Types & Systems of Government Unit 1: Foundation/theory of government & Constitutional Underpinnings

  2. Types of government • Type of government: usually means who holds the power: • Autocracy • Oligarchy • Democracy

  3. Autocracy • Def: Power & authority to rule are in the hands of a single individual • Ex. Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, Castro • Characteristics: • Oldest & most common form of govt. • Get to power by inheritance, or ruthless police/military force • 2 types: • Totalitarian Dictatorship: total control of social & economic life • Monarchy: led by king, queen, emperor exercising full power • 2 types: • Absolute monarch: complete & unlimited rule over their people; Saudi Arabia • Constitutional monarch: either share constitutional power with legislature, or are more ceremonial leaders; ex. Britain • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2rentfCTAw

  4. Oligarchy • Def: a type of government in which a small group holds power • All communist countries, Iran (theocracy) • Characteristics: • Group gets power from wealth, military power, social position, religion or combination of these • Mostly seen in communist countries: N. Korea, Cuba, Iran • Always pretending that are ruling for the people • All opposition is either suppressed, or eliminated • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwP7Sd7RacA

  5. Democracy • Def.: a type of government in which rule is by the people, Greek term meaning people rule • USA, Chile, India, Japan, S. Africa, France • Characteristics: • People (citizens) hold sovereign power • Individual liberty • Majority rule w/minority rights • Free elections • Competing political parties • 2 types: • Direct democracy: people/citizens rule themselves by voting directly on issues, can only exist in small societies • Representative Democracy (In-Direct Democracy/Republic): people/citizens elect representatives & give them responsibilities & power to make laws and conduct government, great for large countries, voters are source of power • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6jgWxkbR7A

  6. Systems of government • System of govt. refers to: how the power is distributed across the state: • Unitary • Federal • Confederate

  7. Unitary • Def.: All key powers & decisions given to the National/Central govt.: • Ex. Britain, Italy, France (works best in small land countries) • Characteristics: • Made up of central & provincial/state govt. • Power goes top to bottom • Power of local always checked by central govt.

  8. Confederation • Def.: a loose union of independent states • Ex. Native tribes, USA under Articles of Confederation, Confederate states during Civil War • Characteristics: • Only unite for a limited few purposes • Economic or defense • A weak national government due to sovereignty of member states • Member states prefer it weak!

  9. Federal • Def.: power is divided between national, state, and local govt. • Ex.: USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, India, Russia (usually big land mass countries) • Characteristics: • Power shared between all levels • Each with clear areas of sovereignty • Constitution supreme over all levels • A good review of all three, nice & simple! • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL6eGwP0JTg

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