© 2011 clairmont press. part i: distribution of power
TRANSCRIPT
© 2011 Clairmont Press
Part I: Distribution of Power
Distribution of PowerA government’s power can be
described as being distributed in one of the following ways:
UnitaryFederation (Federal)Confederation
Unitary In a unitary form of government, a central
government operates the entire government.
The national level government has the power to grant local areas to govern itself. However, they can also dissolve this granted
power.
Unitary government systems are found in the United Kingdom and Cuba.
Unitary LocalAreas
LocalAreas
LocalAreas
LocalAreas
The key powers of government are held by the central government.
Confederation A voluntary unification of different sovereign states or
countries.
The central government does not hold the most power. Instead, each member holds the power.
There are advantages and disadvantages to a Confederation. Advantages: individual states can hold on to their own laws and
beliefs, larger market for economy, common currency, and better defense.
Disadvantages: difficult to have common national laws, finances, and foreign policy.
There are instances in U.S. history when a confederation existed. Articles of Confederation (before to the Constitution of the U.S.) Confederate States of America (southern states during the Civil
War)
Confederation
Note how the power flows fromeach individual state and the central government has little power on its own.
LocalLocalAreasAreas
LocalLocalAreasAreas
LocalLocalAreasAreas
LocalLocalAreasAreas
Federal In a federal government, power is divided
between a central or national level of government and other levels of government.
The basic levels of government in our nation are federal (national), state, county, city.
Other Federal nations may use terms like territories, provinces, and parishes.
Each level is granted unique powers to collect taxes and create and enforce laws.
Federal
Note how the power flows fromeach individual state and the central government has little power on its own.
LocalLocalAreasAreas
LocalLocalAreasAreas
LocalLocalAreasAreas
LocalLocalAreasAreas
Distribution of Power in Government
Think of power distribution on a continuum from strong central control to weak central control.
Strong central Strong central governmentgovernment
UnitaryUnitary ConfederationConfederationFederalFederal
Weak central Weak central governmentgovernment
The Organization of Government United States
Part II: The Role of Citizens
Citizens Participation In each country, the people have different rights to
participate in their government.
How do citizens participate? Voting rights Representing Ruling Working
Citizen ParticipationGovernments allow varying degrees of citizen
participation.AutocracyOligarchyDemocracy
See chart on next slide for visual aid.
Citizen Participation
The larger the rectangle and the greater the role of the citizen in government.