CHAPTER 1, SECTION 2

Forms of Government

Vocabulary

AutocracyOligarchyUnitary governmentFederal governmentDivision of powersConfederationPresidential governmentParliamentary government

Classifying Government

Participation Democracy

People hold the sovereign power and the government is conducted only by and with the consent of the people Direct: Town Hall Meeting Indirect: Representative Committees

Classifying Government

Participation Dictatorship

Rulers are not responsible to the will of the people Autocracy: single person holds unlimited power Oligarchy: power held by a small usually self-appointed elite

Authoritarian Absolute and unchallengeable authority over the people

Totalitarian Exercises complete power over nearly every aspect of

human affairs• Modern examples: Fascist Italy, People’s Republic of China, Libya

(Kaddafi) Militaristic

Classifying Government

Geographic Distribution of Power Unitary

Single, centralized agency

Federal Divided and reciprocal power

Confederation No central agency

Classifying Government

Relationship between legislature and executive branches Presidential

Separate, independent of one another, coequal Chosen independently of legislature; holds office for a fixed term;

not subject to direct control of legislature Checks and balances Separation of powers

Parliamentary Executive and cabinet are part of legislature

Prime minister is leader of majority party or coalition; subject to direct control

Rules with support of majority in parliament; flexible terms (“vote of no confidence”); elected by Parliament

Basic Concepts of Democracy

Foundations Worth of the Individual Equality of all persons Majority Rule, Minority Rights Necessity of Compromise Individual Freedom

DEMOCRACY

Basic Concepts of Democracy

Democracy and the Free Enterprise System Free Enterprise

Characterized by private ownership of capital goods, investments, made by private decision, success or failure determined by competition in the market

Four fundamental factors of support Private ownership Individual initiative Profit Competition

How it works Private, market-based system Individual decision making

Socialism Government regulation and promotion of

market decisions Mixed Economy

Private enterprise exists in combination with government regulation and promotion

FREE ENTERPRISE

Homework

Go Online Activity Principles in Government

Types of Governments Read about the various types of governments,

including democratic, dictatorial, and parliamentary Create your own chart comparing governments.

Include at least five categories: type of leader, economy, and governing body

Use the worksheet to report what you've learned from this activity