Foundations of U.S. Government

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UNIT 1 Foundations of U.S.
Government CHAPTER 1 Government and the
People LESSON 2 Systems and Forms of Government
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Chapter
UNIT 1 Foundations of U.S.
Government CHAPTER 1 Government and the
People LESSON 2 Systems and Forms of Government
Systems of Government

• -What level of government has powernational or a
  lesser level, determines the system of government
  that a nation uses
• 1. Unitary System
• All government power is held by the national
  government
• Also called centralized
• Examples Italy, Great Britain, France
• 2. Confederate System
• Most government power is held by the
  states/provinces

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Chapter
(continued)
UNIT 1 Foundations of U.S.
Government CHAPTER 1 Government and the
People LESSON 2 Systems and Forms of Government

• A loose alliance of smaller governments
• States do give up some power in order to form a
  national government
• No nations currently use a confederate system
• 3. Federal System
• Government power is shared between the national
  and state/provincial level
• Examples U.S., Australia, Germany, India, Mexico

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Chapter
Forms of Government
UNIT 1 Foundations of U.S.
Government CHAPTER 1 Government and the
People LESSON 2 Systems and Forms of Government

• -Who has powerindividuals or groups, determines
  the form of government that a nation uses
• 1. Autocracy
• A single person holds power
• Power is usually inherited or kept by force,
  i.e. dictatorships and monarchies
• Examples Saudi Arabia (monarchy), North Korea
  (dictatorship)

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Chapter
(continued)
UNIT 1 Foundations of U.S.
Government CHAPTER 1 Government and the
People LESSON 2 Systems and Forms of Government

• 2. Oligarchy
• A few individuals hold power
• Wealth and military power usually influence who
  the oligarchs will be
• Examples China, Japan (before and during WWII)
• 3. Democracy
• All individuals hold power, usually in the form
  of voting
• Example Nations U.S., Ireland, Australia, many
  more

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