
1st thing we will look at is how governments
are broken into regional systems
Unitary System
 Federal System
 Confederacy



All key powers are located in the national or
central governments
Does not mean just one level of government,
rather central government has the power to
create lower levels

Example: Great Britain


Divides government between a national
and/or state/provincial governments
Each level of government has power with
National powers being supreme

Ex- United States of America



Loose union of independent states
Power is controlled by local/state governments
with little power given to a central government
No modern example, The United States tried
this under the Articles of Confederation.

A plan that provides the rules for government
Ideals that the people bound by the constitution
believe in and share
 It establishes the basic structure of government and
defines the government’s powers and duties
 It provides the supreme law for the country

Principles of Government



Autocracy
Oligarchy
Democracy
Principles of Government




Power and authority to rule held by one
person
Totalitarian dictatorships (examples…)
Monarchies- Absolute & Constitutional
(examples…)
Pros & Cons…
Principles of Government


Power and authority to rule is held by a small
group of individuals
(Examples…)
Principles of Government
From the Greek demos (people) and kratia (to
rule). Thus ~ rule by the people
Too simple & naïve
 Democracy is a system of government in which
people select policy makers so that policies
reflect the will of those governed.
(explain…)

Principles of Government



Direct democracy allows the people the
authority to govern themselves directly
People make and vote on policies in forums
Only exist in small communities today
Principles of Government




Representative democracy people select
representatives and give them authority to
make laws and run the government
Also known as: republic, indirect democracy
and constitutional republic
Still in all, power ultimately rests with the
public
Legitimacy and Revolution?