The Formation of Governments
Key Terms
unitary system, federal system, confederacy,
constitution, constitutional government, preamble,
constitutional law, politics, industrialized nation,
developing nation
Find Out
• What are the similarities and differences
between a unitary government and a federal
government system?
• What are the main purposes of a constitution?
The Formation of Governments
Understanding Concepts
Global Perspectives The United States
Constitution is the oldest written constitution still in
use. What does this imply about the stability of
government in the world?
Section Objective
Cite similarities and differences between unitary and
federal governments.
One of the smallest nations in the world also
has one of the oldest governments.
Switzerland began in 1291 as a confederation
of 3 small cantons, or provincial governments,
and today includes 23 cantons.
I. Government Systems
(page 12)
A. A unitary system of government gives all key
powers to the national or central government.
B. A federal system of government divides the
powers of government between the national
government and state or provincial
governments.
I. Government Systems
(page 12)
What are the major advantages of a
federal system of government?
Security against a concentration of power;
participation at more levels of government.
II. Constitutions and Government (pages 13–14)
A. A constitution is a plan that provides the
rules for government.
B. Whether written or unwritten, a constitution
organizes the structure of government and
the way it operates.
C. Constitutions set out the goals and purposes
of government as well as the ideals shared
by the people.
D. Constitutions provide the supreme law for
states and their governments.
II. Constitutions and Government (pages 13–14)
How important do you think a written
constitution is to a democratic form of
government?
Answers will vary. Students should note the
need for limited government.
III. Politics and Government (pages 14–15)
A. Politics is the effort to control or influence
the policies and actions of government.
B. Individuals and groups use politics to seek
benefits from government.
C. Although special interest groups seek
special benefits, politics also provides
benefits for all the people.
III. Politics and Government (pages 14–15)
Why do some U.S. citizens consider
“politics” negative?
The negative side of political news often
receives more attention.
IV. Governing in a Complex World (pages 16–17)
A. The world today is divided into industrialized
nations, developing nations, and newly
industrialized nations.
B. These groups of nations have many
differences, but they are interdependent in
many ways.
C. Other groups besides nations, including
multinational corporations, political
movements, terrorist groups and
international organizations, are important in
today’s world.
IV. Governing in a Complex World (pages 16–17)
What responsibility does the United States
bear for the welfare of other nations?
Answers will vary. Students may point out
that our welfare is closely linked to that of the
rest of the world.
Checking for Understanding
1. Main Idea In a Venn diagram like the one
below, show the similarities and differences
between a constitutional government and a
government that merely has a constitution.
Constitutional government: Constitution authorizes the
government to operate within limits set by the constitution.
Government with a constitution: Government operates
by its own authority with few limits. Both: A written plan
exists for organizing and operating the government.
Checking for Understanding
Match the term with the correct definition.
___
D confederacy
___
E preamble
___
B politics
___
C constitutional law
___
A constitution
A. a plan that provides the rules
for government
B. the effort to control or
influence the conduct and
policies of government
C. law that involves the
interpretation and application
of the U.S. Constitution and
state constitutions
D. a loose union of independent
states
E. a statement in a constitution
that sets forth the goals and
purposes of government
Checking for Understanding
3. Identify The Federalist.
The Federalist was a series of articles written
by James Madison that addressed issues
concerning the launching of a new government.
Checking for Understanding
4. Analyze how events in the Middle East illustrate
economic interdependence.
The U.S. and other nations rely on oil from the
Middle East and have intervened militarily and
diplomatically to protect oil supplies and
maintain order.
Critical Thinking
5. Analyzing Information James Madison
wanted to prevent “factions,” or special interest
groups. Would it be possible to have
government without special interest groups?
Explain.
In a democratic society, government without
special interest groups is probably impossible
since people want to influence government for
their own benefit or that of their communities.
In a totalitarian state most political activity is
repressed.
Global Perspectives Choose five foreign
nations and find out about each nation’s
basic structure of government. When was its
constitution adopted? Is the government
democratic? Obtain information from a local
library or on the Internet.