Government, you say? European governments
Why do we have governments? All countries require governments to function. Governments provide laws, structure, public services, and national defense. There are different types of governments: democracies republics monarchies dictatorships
Who am I?
Power to one: Autocracy The power of the government is in the hands of a single person. The citizens have no voting rights. One of the oldest forms of Governments. One of the most common forms of government.
Autocracy- the rulers Autocratic rulers have the power of the government handed down to them through the family ( monarch) or they have taken over a government by force. (dictator).
Who has the power? As long as you live under my ocean, You will obey my rules! One person has power. Citizen has a limited, if any, role in the Government.
Forms of Autocratic Governments: Absolute or Totalitarian Dictatorship Ideas of a single leader glorified Government tries to control all aspects of social and economic life. People lack the power to limit their rulers. Government is not responsible to the people.
Forms of Autocratic Governments: Absolute Monarchy King, queen, or emperor exercises the supreme powers of government/unlimited power. Position is usually inherited. People lack the power to limit their rulers. Absolute monarchs are rare today but form the 1400s to the 1700s they ruled most of Western Europe.
Citizen Participation What role do you think citizens have in an autocracy? High Participation Low to No Participation
Government by few. Power to the Few: Oligarchy Citizens have no voting rights. The power of the government is in the hands of a few persons or a small group who have the combined power of a dictator.
Power to the few: Oligarchy Sometimes a small group exercises control, especially for corrupt and selfish purposes. The citizens have a very limited role. The group gains power by either the military, society, wealth, religion, or a combination. Political opposition is usually suppressed and sometimes violent.
Power to all: Democracy The voting citizens have the power. Citizens are involved in decision making through their representatives, lobbying and voting.
2 forms of Democratic government: Parliamentary Democracy Presidential Democracy
Parliamentary Democracy Citizens elect legislature, legislature selects the leader Example: United Kingdom, Germany
Presidential Democracy Separate from each other A system of government in which the executive branch (president) exists separately from the legislature Citizens vote for leader Example: Russia, US
Democracy http://teachertube.com/viewvideo.php?video_i d=141006&title=government_song
Bicameral legislatures A bicameral legislature means that the part of government that makes the laws is made of two parts. This is found in Russia, USA, Germany, and the United Kingdom. In Germany the two houses are called the Bundesrat and the Bundestag. The Bundestag has the most power. Russia has a Federal Assembly made up of the State Duma and the Federation Council. The UK s parliament is made up of the House of Lords and the House of Commons. What is it called in the US?
Federation Power is shared by a powerful central government and the state or local governments. States or provinces are given considerable self rule, usually through their own legislatures. Examples: United States Russia Germany
Sharing is caring! Who has the power? Federal is shared!
Federal Governments of the World
Unitary government A system in which the power is held by one central authority All power is given to one branch of government. Examples: France United Kingdom (U.K.) Sweden Spain Former Soviet Union
One has ALL the POWER Central (main) government has all the power and then gives orders and power to the local governments
Unitary Governments of the World
Confederation A system in which power is shared by an alliance or union of political organizations Independent states voluntarily work together for some common purpose and agree to certain limits on their freedom of action as a confederation. Examples: European Union Switzerland
We have the POWER! State and local governments have all the power!
Review
Similarities between the two Autocracy Sometimes claim they rule for the people. In reality, the people have very little say in both types of government. Examples: Holds and election for one candidate or control the results. If there is a national assemble or legislature, they have to approve the decisions. Oligarchy Sometimes claim they rule for the people. In reality, the people have very little say in both types of government. Examples: Holds and election for one candidate or control the results. If there is a national assemble or legislature, they have to approve the decisions.
Who has the power in an autocratic government? How is this different from the US? Who holds the power in an oligarchic government? What are the two types of democracy? How much of a voice do you have in the government here?