systems of government
sharing power between the various governments within a state
Forms of Government
how the government operates: ideology on how best to govern
systems describe:
how power is distributed between levels of govt
confederation
central power weak, states are in control, loose relationship
federal system
central and state share power, people elect national and state representatives
unitary system
central govt has all power, delegates, only one set of laws
how is the executive chosen in parliament
by the legislature, which are elected by the people
absolute monarchy
king/queen has all power
constitutional monarchy
king/queen have no power
democracy
rule by people
direct democracy
people vote on law and policies themselves
representative democracy
people choose leaders to represent them
referendum
states ask people to vote on proposals
initiatives
states allow people to gather signatures to create ballot
socialism
helping citizens, govt takes control of businesses, free healthcare
communism
common ownership, all equal
dictatorship
controls all aspects of life
communist governments
china, cuba, vietnam, laos
oligarchy
ruled by one group of wealthy people
autocracy
rule by one (dictatorships and absolute monarchy)