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Understanding Types and Systems of Government

Explore the foundation and theory of government, constitutional underpinnings, and different types of government including autocracy, oligarchy, and democracy. Learn about the characteristics and examples of each type. Discover the systems of government such as unitary, federal, and confederate, and how power is distributed across the state. Gain insights into major government structures and their functions.

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Understanding Types and 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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