Mr. Yawn
Gifted Social Studies/Language Arts
Please come in and begin reading your
handbook
Grading Policy:
• Tests
• Quizzes 20%
• Homework
• Classwork 35%
35%
10%
Materials:
• 3 ring binder
• Composition book
• Color pencils
Other:
• We will be using technology daily!
• All classes will employ differentiated instruction.
Concepts or Themes Used in Global Studies
•Conflict and Change
•Culture
•Governance
•Human Environment Interaction
•Movement/Migration
•Location
•Production, distribution, and consumption
•Time, change and continuity
Take a moment and list all the terms you
remember from last year concerning
government.
Why do you think that government is an
important concept when studying other nations?
Types of citizen participation
- Autocratic (autocracy) - Dictatorships (Cuba)
- Oligarchic (oligarchy) - Ancient Greece, Communist
China
- Democratic (democracy) - The US, the UK, Canada- all
countries which have a presidential or parliamentary type
of government
How power is distributed
- Federal - The US, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India
- Confederation- The Confederate States of America (Civil
War), The European Union today
- Unitary - UK, France, Israel
Use Government PPT & note-taking guide found in Unit 1 folder to review
governance terms
Unitary Governments
Central government possesses most of
the decision-making power and authority
Operates all levels of government in the
country
Assigns power to state & local
government
Examples:
_______________________________________
_____
Confederations
Some countries agree that they would
be better able to solve problems or provide
help if they worked together
They might sign a treaty or a
constitution under which the countries agree
to defend each other, trade with each other,
use a common currency, etc.
Membership is usually voluntary & a
country can decide to leave at any time
Confederations generally have a weak
central government
Examples:
Federal Governments
In a federal form of government, power
is divided between a central government &
regional authorities, such as states
A document (such as a constitution)
may describe the rights, responsibilities, and
duties of the central government & the states
Examples:
________________________________________
______
Autocracy (Autocratic)
•
One person possesses unlimited power
•
Under autocratic systems, one leader holds all the
power
•
Example: Hitler’s Germany
Oligarchy (Oligarchic)
•
Government by the few
•
Under an oligarchic system, only the elite (small
powerful group) hold the power
•
Examples: China, Ancient Greece
Democracy (Democratic) / 2 Types: Presidential &
Parliamentary
•
Government by the people
•
Under a democracy, the people hold the power
Examples: United States, Australia, Canada
•
There are 2 types of democracies:
Presidential Democracy
Democracy
•
In a presidential system, there is a separation of
powers: the people elect the legislature and executive leader
independently.
•
Made up of 3 branches:
•
Executive – President (head of state)
•
Legislative – Congress
•
Judicial – Supreme Court
Parliamentary
•
In a parliamentary system, there is a
fusion of powers: the people elect the
legislature, but the legislature selects the
executive leader.
•
Made up of 3 branches:
•
Executive – Prime Minister (head of
state -- elected by members of Parliament)
•
Legislative – Parliament
•
Judicial – Court system
For each country, make sure your group addresses the
following questions:
• Type of government and citizen participation
• What is the predominate ethnicity and religion in this
country? What are the minority peoples/beliefs?
• Are those minority ethnicities and adherents to other
religious beliefs equal in rights?
• What is the law based upon (constitution, religious books,
etc.)
• What are the economies like in these countries?
• Do you think it is like the U.S. government in ANY way or
different?
• Miscellaneous facts about these countries pertaining to
culture, entertainment, music, poetry, etc.