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