POLITICS

Unitary System of Government

• No hierarchy of sovereign powers

• States cannot pass their own laws

• Central (national) government can order the states to do anything

Unitary States

Federal System of Government

• Power to govern is shared between national and state/provincial governments

• Multiple hierarchy levels (central authority plus states/provinces)

• Central/national rules override the state rules

Federal States

Some Forms of Government

DemocracyGovernment is elected by the people, through voting.

Electoral Democracies

Branches of Government

• Judiciary– Interpret the laws.– Make sure the

Constitution is obeyed.

• Executive– President/Prime

Minister– Makes sure the laws

are being followed.• Legislative– Write the laws.

Some Forms of Government

DictatorshipSingle leader who has not been elected.May use force to keep control.

Some Forms of Government

MonarchyHas a king or queen, who may have absolute power.Constitutional monarchies have a democratic government that limits the monarch’s control.

Queen Elizabeth II

King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia

Some Forms of Government

TotalitarianCountry with only one political party.People must do what government tells them to do.

Some Forms of Government

TheocracyGovernment based on religion