Principles of
Government
Systems, Forms, and Types
Standard:
 SSCG 19 : Compare and
contrast governments
that are unitary,
confederal, federal,
autocratic, oligarchic,
democratic, presidential
and parliamentary.
Essential Question
 What are the similarities
and differences between
the many forms of
government including;
unitary, confederal,
federal, autocratic,
oligarchic, democratic,
parliamentary and
presidential?
Objectives
Learn the four essential features of a “state” (not a
“State”).
 Learn the four theories about the origination of states
 Understand the difference between unitary, confederal
and federal systems of government
 Learn about the three major forms of government
 Identify key characteristics of democratic government

“State” or “state?”
 “State”
(capitalized) refers to a
political subdivision of the
United States, such as the State
of Montana
 “state” (lower case) refers to a
nation-state or country, such as
France or the United States
Theories on Origin of states
 Divine
right (God given right to rule)
 Social contract (Society’s need for order)
 Force theory (organize to resist enemies)
 Evolutionary theory (extended family rule
became government)
Systems and Types of
Government
In order to study government, we first need
to look at the following:
Systems: How is the Power distributed
Types: Who rules and who participates
Systems of government are
based on one question…
 …How
is the power distributed?
 There
are three ways governments
distribute power:



Unitary
Confederation
Federal
Unitary

One central
government controls
everything
 Power is NOT shared
between states,
counties, or
provinces.
 Examples: The United
Kingdom, France, the
Netherlands, and
Spain
Unitary Governments
Confederal

A voluntary
association of
independent states
that agrees to follow a
central government.
 States can choose to
follow or not follow
the lead of the central
government
 Examples: CSA,
Russian Federation
Federal

Power is shared by a
central government
 States or Provinces
are given
considerable self-rule,
usually through their
own legislatures.
 Examples, the United
States and Germany
Federal Governments
Systems of Government
Types of government are based
on one question…
 …Who
governs and what is the citizenship
participation?
 There



are three types of government:
Autocracy
Oligarchy
Democracy
Autocracy

Government in which  Dictatorship- absolute
the power to govern is
rule generally by force
held by one person
 Absolute Monarchy Generally the power
absolute rule inherited
to rule is inherited or
through family ties
by military force
 Constitutional
 There are three types
Monarchy-share
of autocracy
power with elected
officials, seen for as
 Example: Iraq, and
figurehead with
Great Britain
limited to no power
Oligarchy

A government in
which a few people
such as a dominate
clan or clique hold all
the power
 The group gets their
power through either
military, wealth, or
social status

Elections may be held
but offer only one
candidate
 Examples: Greek-City
states, Russian
Federation.
Democracy

Ruled by the people
 Individual freedom and
equality is valued
 Free elections are held
 Decisions are based on
majority rule
 Citizens vote by secret
ballot
 Example: the United
States

Two forms of
democracy


Direct DemocracyPeople vote on all
issues
Representative
Democracy
(Republic)- citizens
elect representatives
and give them the
power to vote on the
issues
Two Major Types of Democratic
Governments
Parliamentary



Voters elect members to
Parliament
House of Commons-the
Political Party with the most
votes in the House of
Commons chooses the Prime
Minister, the government’s
leader with no set length of
term
House of Lords: little power
with most members being
nobles having inherited their
titles
Presidential
 Voters elect legislatures
 Voter elect (indirectly) the
president
 Therefore, in the
presidential system
voters have a more direct
say about those who
serve in two branches of
the government


Legislative
Executive