UNITARY, FEDERAL AND CONFEDERAL SYSTEMS

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS (OBJECTIVES): • Compare and contrast the following

government systems: unitary, federal and Confederal.

GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS

UNITARY FEDERAL CONFEDERAL

•All key powers belong to the national government

•National government creates lower levels of government with limited sovereignty

•EX: Great Britian, Italy, France

•Divides the powers of government between the national and state governments

•Both national and state governments have sovereignty is some areas

•EX: United States

•Government where power resides with the states (a loose union of independent states)

•EX: Articles of Confederation, Confederacy (Civil War)

CONSTITUTION

A constitution is a written plan for government. Sets out ideals that people share Established basic structure for government Supreme law of the land Provides for limited government

OUR CONSTITUTION Preamble– introduction (statement of goals) 7 Articles (sections) 1787--oldest written constitution still in use

today

POLITICS

What are politics? Effort to control or influence the conduct and

policies of government People’s efforts to influence how the government

acts and what they do Why do people participate in politics?

Government impacts our lives Benefits and services They can put our values (or the values of others

into action) Government should represent the interests of

ALL the people (general welfare)