This document provides information on types and systems of government. It discusses the three main types of government: autocracy, oligarchy, and democracy. It then examines the three main systems of distributing power: unitary, confederation, and federal. Specific examples are provided for each type and system. Key aspects like citizen participation, distribution of power, and levels of government are compared.

1. Types and Systems of
Government Review

2. To study governments, geographers
look at the following:
Types – Who rules and who
participates.
Systems – How the power is
distributed.

3. Types of Government are based on
one key question: Who governs and
what is the citizen participation?
There are three types of governments:
Autocracy, Oligarchy, and Democracy

4. Autocracy
Government in which the power to
govern is held by one person.
Generally the power to rule is inherited
or by military force.
There are three
types of Autocracy.

5. #1 Dictatorship
The leader has not been
elected and uses force
to control all aspects of
social and economic life.
Examples: Adolf Hitler in
Germany and Joseph
Stalin in the Soviet
Union

6. #2 Absolute
Monarchy
A monarchy has a king, queen,
emperor or empress.
The power is usually inherited or
passed down from family members.
The monarch has absolute power
meaning they can make all decisions
without consulting anyone.

7. Absolute MonarchyAbsolute Monarchy
One-person rule. King or Queen has total control. Often thoughtOne-person rule. King or Queen has total control. Often thought
as a divine right to rule that is passed from generation toas a divine right to rule that is passed from generation to
generation.generation.
ADVANTAGESADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGESDISADVANTAGES
1.1. People may be united in theirPeople may be united in their
loyalty to a monarch since thereloyalty to a monarch since there
is no competition for trust andis no competition for trust and
affection.affection.
2.2. In an emergency, aIn an emergency, a monarchmonarch
can move quickly to takecan move quickly to take
action. No time is lost inaction. No time is lost in
debate or discussiondebate or discussion..
11.. People are often given noPeople are often given no
individual liberties or civilindividual liberties or civil
rights.rights.
2.2. A monarch’s policies suitA monarch’s policies suit
his/her own needs. Needs of thehis/her own needs. Needs of the
people may be neglected.people may be neglected.
3.3. Decision making has a narrow baseDecision making has a narrow base
- can be flawed, wrong, dangerous.- can be flawed, wrong, dangerous.
No one was willing to tell the emperorNo one was willing to tell the emperor
what they think of his new clothes…what they think of his new clothes…

8. #3 Constitutional Monarchy
Kings, queens or emperors share
power with elected legislatures.
Generally the Kings are northing more
than figureheads.
The government is a democratic one
that limits the monarchs power.
Example: Great Britain

9. Constitutional MonarchyConstitutional Monarchy
A government with a written plan, or constitution, thatA government with a written plan, or constitution, that
includes a monarch as a ceremonial leader and aincludes a monarch as a ceremonial leader and a
parliament or other legislature to make the laws.parliament or other legislature to make the laws.
ADVANTAGESADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGESDISADVANTAGES
1.1. Citizens are involved in decisionCitizens are involved in decision
making through theirmaking through their
representatives, lobbying, andrepresentatives, lobbying, and
voting.voting.
2.2. Representatives are aware theirRepresentatives are aware their
job depends on meeting the needs ofjob depends on meeting the needs of
their constituents.their constituents.
3.3. More likely that all elements of theMore likely that all elements of the
population are represented.population are represented.
4.4. Monarch has almost celebrity statusMonarch has almost celebrity status
with the people. Are not held responsiblewith the people. Are not held responsible
for unpopular decisions, yet can help formfor unpopular decisions, yet can help form
public opinionpublic opinion
11.. Decision making is timeDecision making is time
consuming. Desire ofconsuming. Desire of
representatives to please everyonerepresentatives to please everyone
may cripple system.may cripple system.
2.2. Representatives may not alwaysRepresentatives may not always
agree with those they represent.agree with those they represent.
3.3. Lack of involved citizenry mayLack of involved citizenry may
allow special interest groups toallow special interest groups to
influence or dominateinfluence or dominate
representatives.representatives.

10. Oligarchy
A government in which a few people
such as a dominant clan or clique have
power.
The group gets their power from either
military, wealth or social status.
Elections may be held but offer
only one candidate.
Examples: Greek city states

11. Democracy
In a democracy, the government is
“Rule by the people”
There are two forms of democracy
Direct Democracy – People vote on all the
issues.
Representative Democracy – People elect
representatives and give them the power to
vote on issues.
 Example: United States

12. Direct DemocracyDirect Democracy
Government in which all citizensGovernment in which all citizens
have equal power in decisionhave equal power in decision
making.making.
ADVANTAGESADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGESDISADVANTAGES
1.1. Every citizen has equal powerEvery citizen has equal power
in matters of government. Everyin matters of government. Every
citizen is involved in the decisioncitizen is involved in the decision
making.making.
2.2. Since all citizens areSince all citizens are
involved in decision making,involved in decision making,
there is a broad base of supportthere is a broad base of support
and loyalty.and loyalty.
33.. Individual liberties areIndividual liberties are
protected.protected.
1.1. Only works when a smallOnly works when a small
number of people are involved.number of people are involved.
Ability to gather all citizens inAbility to gather all citizens in
one place is necessary.one place is necessary.
2.2. Decision making involvingDecision making involving
all citizens is time-consuming.all citizens is time-consuming.
All citizens give in-put, debate,All citizens give in-put, debate,
etc...etc...

13. REPUBLIC/REPUBLIC/
Representative DemocracyRepresentative Democracy
Government in which people elect representatives who hold theGovernment in which people elect representatives who hold the
decision making power.decision making power.
ADVANTAGESADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGESDISADVANTAGES
11.. Citizens are involved in decisionCitizens are involved in decision
making through their representatives,making through their representatives,
lobbying, and voting.lobbying, and voting.
2.2. Representatives are aware their jobRepresentatives are aware their job
depends on meeting the needs of theirdepends on meeting the needs of their
constituents.constituents.
33.. More likely that all elements of theMore likely that all elements of the
population are represented.population are represented.
4.4. Generally, reps are educated and more-Generally, reps are educated and more-
capable citizens who can devote timecapable citizens who can devote time
needed to solve complex problems.needed to solve complex problems.
11.. Decision making is time consuming.Decision making is time consuming.
Desire of representatives to pleaseDesire of representatives to please
everyone may cripple system.everyone may cripple system.
2.2. Representatives may not always agreeRepresentatives may not always agree
with those they represent.with those they represent.
3.3. Lack of involved citizenry mayLack of involved citizenry may
allow special interest groups toallow special interest groups to
influence or dominate representatives.influence or dominate representatives.

14. In a democracy….
Individual freedom and equality is
valued.
Free elections are held
Decisions are based on majority rule.
All candidates can express their views
freely.
Citizens vote by secret ballot.

15. Democratic Governments
There are two major forms of
democratic governments:
Parliamentary
Presidential

16.  In a parliamentary form of democratic
government, the people vote for those who
represent the political party they feel best
represents their views of how the government
should operate.
 The legislature they elect, parliament, makes
and carries out (enforces) the laws for the country.
 The leader of a parliamentary form of government is usually
chosen by the party that winds the majority of representatives
in the legislature.
 This leader is often called a prime minister or premier and is
recognized as the head of the government.
 The prime minister leads the executive branch of the
government and must answer directly to the legislature for the
actions and policies recommended.
 In many parliamentary governments, a head of state (president
or king/queen) serves as ceremonial leader

17. The actual work of the parliament is led by the
prime minister, who represents the leading
political party in the country.
He or she rules with the help of a cabinet, or
group of advisors.
A prime minister may be voted out of office if
the party he or she leads lose power

18. Presidential Democracy
Voters elect legislators
Voters 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

19. AA presidentialpresidential form of democratic government has a president, orform of democratic government has a president, or
chief executive, that is chosen separately from the legislaturechief executive, that is chosen separately from the legislature
The legislature passes the laws, and it is the duty of the president toThe legislature passes the laws, and it is the duty of the president to
see that the laws are enforcedsee that the laws are enforced
The president holed power separately from the legislature, but he doesThe president holed power separately from the legislature, but he does
not have the power to dismiss the legislature or force them to makenot have the power to dismiss the legislature or force them to make
particular lawsparticular laws
The president is the official head of the governmentThe president is the official head of the government
The legislature does not have the power to dismiss the president,The legislature does not have the power to dismiss the president,
except in extreme cases when the president has broken a lawexcept in extreme cases when the president has broken a law
The president is BOTH the lead of state and the head of theThe president is BOTH the lead of state and the head of the
governmentgovernment

20. Parliamentary
System
Presidential System
ExecutiveExecutive LegislativeLegislative
CitizensCitizensCitizensCitizens
LegislativeLegislative
ExecutiveExecutive
Elect
Elect
ElectElectSelectSelect
Elect
Elect

21. COMMUNISM
a theory advocating elimination of private
property.
a system in which goods are owned in
common and are available to all as
needed.
Typically a one party system in which all
political power rest with the party (i.e.
China).

22. TheocracyTheocracyA form of government in which God or aA form of government in which God or a
deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler.deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler.
Often religious institutional representativesOften religious institutional representatives
(i.e.: a church), replaces or is mixed into the(i.e.: a church), replaces or is mixed into the
civilian government. Can be an Oligarchy,civilian government. Can be an Oligarchy,
Representative Democracy, and even aRepresentative Democracy, and even a
Monarchy.Monarchy.

23. Systems of Government are based
on one question: How is the
power distributed?
There are three ways governments
distribute power:
Unitary
Confederation
Federal

24. Unitary
One central government controls
everything.
Power is not shared between states,
counties or provinces.
Examples : United Kingdom, France,
the Netherlands, and Spain

25. Unitary government systemUnitary government system –– the central government holdsthe central government holds
nearly all of the power.nearly all of the power.
Local governments such as state or county systems may haveLocal governments such as state or county systems may have
some power at certain times, but they are basically under the controlsome power at certain times, but they are basically under the control
of the central government.of the central government.
Central government has the power to change the way state orCentral government has the power to change the way state or
county governments operate or abolish them altogether.county governments operate or abolish them altogether.
Some unitary governments have elected officials who, onceSome unitary governments have elected officials who, once
elected, may make and enforce laws without taking the opinions ofelected, may make and enforce laws without taking the opinions of
those at lower levels of government into consideration.those at lower levels of government into consideration.
In aIn a monarchymonarchy (area ruled by a king or emperor), the ruler and(area ruled by a king or emperor), the ruler and
his advisors make most of thehis advisors make most of the
decisions – this is an exampledecisions – this is an example
of a unitary governmentof a unitary government
Most African countriesMost African countries have Unitary governmentshave Unitary governments
Other African countriesOther African countries have kings but most of them are kings ofhave kings but most of them are kings of
particular tribes or ethnicparticular tribes or ethnic groups and do not play a major role in thegroups and do not play a major role in the
day to day government of theday to day government of the countriescountries

26. Confederation
A voluntary association of independent states
that agrees to follow a powerful central
government.
Nations can choose to follow or not follow the
lead of the weak central government.
Examples: Confederate States of America
( 1861-1865), Russian Federation.

27. AA confederation government systemconfederation government system is one in which the localis one in which the local
governments hold all of the power and the central government dependsgovernments hold all of the power and the central government depends
on the local governments for its existenceon the local governments for its existence
The central government has only as much power as the localThe central government has only as much power as the local
governments are willing to givegovernments are willing to give
TheThe United NationsUnited Nations is a good example of a confederationis a good example of a confederation
The United Nations can only offer advice and assistance when theThe United Nations can only offer advice and assistance when the
member nations agree to cooperatemember nations agree to cooperate
This organization is a regional group organized to help the memberThis organization is a regional group organized to help the member
countries cooperate on economic matters, encourage, cultural exchanges,countries cooperate on economic matters, encourage, cultural exchanges,
and to help keep peace and stability inand to help keep peace and stability in
the region.the region.

28. Federal
Power is shared by a powerful central
government.
States or provinces are given
considerable self rule, usually through
their own legislatures.
Examples: United States, Germany

29.  Federal government system – a political system in
which power is shared among different levels of
government.
 The states have some powers that the federal
government does not have such as the right to collect
property taxes and determine sales taxes.
 The national government (or central government) also
has some powers that the state does not, such as the
right to declare war and make treaties with foreign
countries
 In the Middle East, Israel is an
example of a Federal government