Classifying Governments

Characteristics• 1. Who can participate in the governing

process?

• 2. The geographic distribution of governmental power within the state

• 3. The relationship between the legislative and the executive branches of the government

Who can participate?

Democracy 1. Supreme political authority rests with

the people 2. Two types: direct or indirect

direct: will of the people is translated in public law directly

indirect: representatives are chosen by the people

Nicolas Sarkozy

Felipe de Jesus Calderón

David Cameron

Who can participate?

Dictatorship 1. Oldest and most common form of

government 2. Those in power hold absolute and

unchallengeable authority over the people. autocracy: single person holds power oligarchy: elite group holds power

Totalitarian: complete control over every aspect of human affairs

Hassan Rouhani

Geographic distribution of power

Unitarian 1. Powers held by

government belong to a single, central agency

England: Parliament

Geographic distribution of power

Federal 1. Powers divided between central

government and local governments• United States: National and State

governments

• There is a need for a superior authority

Geographic distribution of power

Confederation 1. Alliance of

independent states, with a central organization

European Union

Communist

A state with a single political party (The community party) in power.

Government runs military, industry, education, economy, and society.

Current Communist States

China Laos Vietnam Cuba North Korea?

Monarchy

State in which the government is controlled by one person, a king or a Queen, typically someone with “born” or divine right.

Other Kinds of Governments

Totalitarian State• Government ruled by one body, similar to a

dictatorship, but much harsher. (North Korea)

Revolutionary Government• American Revolution

• Communist Revolution

Transitional or Provisional government• Iraq following the US involvement

• Libya during the 2011 civil war

Now its time to LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXcqOji9Bn0&safe=active