Government Systems: How is Power Distributed in Government?

Unitary, Confederation, Federal

 Most countries have three levels of government.

 The relationship between the three levels of government is what determines the type of governmental system that operates within the country.

   What is a government system?

Every country has a government that is set up in it own distinct way.

One thing that a country has to decide on is how to organize its government and distribute its power.

There are 3 main ways governments spread their power: 1.

unitary 2.

3.

confederation federal

Unitary Government  The central government possesses most of the decision-making power and authority.

  operates all levels of government in the country assigns power to state & local government

All political powers come from the National Govt.

National policies and laws apply to the entire nation..lower govt. does not have to power to make laws or policies Unitary Government National govt. can create lower levels of govt. and can assign and withdraw powers at anytime

Examples of Unitary Governments   Many countries in the world are run this way.

  Western Hemisphere: Cuba & Bolivia Europe: United Kingdom & France Unitary is not the structure of the US government. Our Congress does not have the power to dissolve state legislatures or appoint governors.

Unitary Governments of the World

Questions to Consider  How is power distributed in a unitary government?

Questions to Consider  How is power distributed in a unitary government?

 A central government assigns power and duties to the smaller units of government within the country.

Questions to Consider   How is power distributed in a unitary government?

 A central government assigns power and duties to the smaller units of government within the country.

True or False: In a unitary government, the national government could remove the governor of a state and pick a new one.

Questions to Consider   How is power distributed in a unitary government?

 A central government assigns power and duties to the smaller units of government within the country.

True or False: In a unitary government, the national government could remove the governor of a state and pick a new one.

 True

Questions to Consider    How is power distributed in a unitary government?

 A central government assigns power and duties to the smaller units of government within the country.

True or False: In a unitary government, the national government could remove the governor of a state and pick a new one.

 True

France, UK, Bolivia, and Cuba – what do these countries have in common?

Questions to Consider    How is power distributed in a unitary government?

 A central government assigns power and duties to the smaller units of government within the country.

True or False: In a unitary government, the national government could remove the governor of a state and pick a new one.

 True France, UK, Bolivia, and Cuba – what do these countries have in common?

 They all have unitary government systems.

Confederation Governments    Some countries agree that they would be better able to solve problems or provide help if they worked together.

They might sign a treaty or a constitution under which the countries agree to defend each other, trade with each other, use a common currency, etc.

 This is called a confederation government.

Membership is usually voluntary & a country can decide to leave at any time.

The lower governments (states/regions) have most control over laws and policies The national government has very little power and that power is assigned by the smaller local governments Confederation

Confederation Governments   Not commonly found among governments in the 21st century because there are several problems with them.

 often have little power because a high percentage of members must agree to decisions made   individual countries can veto decisions changes in the constitution requires all members to agree Confederations generally have a weak central government.

Example: Articles of Confederation   After winning the Revolutionary War, America created the Articles of Confederation for its system of government.

The 13 states had most power and the only powers the federal government had was to create peace and to create war. It did not have the power to control trade, collect taxes, or make money.

Questions to Consider: 

What is one problem with a confederation government?

Questions to Consider:  What is one problem with a confederation government?

 The central government can create laws but might not be able to enforce them.

Questions to Consider:   What is one problem with a confederation government?

 The central government can create laws but might not be able to enforce them.

In a confederation, government power lies with the

Questions to Consider:   What is one problem with a confederation government?

 The central government can create laws but might not be able to enforce them.

In a confederation, government power lies with the  governments of the member countries/states.

Federal Government    In a federal form of government, power is divided between a central government & small divisions, such as states.

A document (such as a constitution) may describe the rights, responsibilities, and duties of the central government & the states.

Central government can be powerful, but it does not have the ability to dissolve states or choose state leaders.

The People The National Government The Local Governments Share the power and make laws and policies together

Federal Systems in the World Today

  Our Federal System The 50 states in America represent the original 13 British colonies that fought for independence.

 Power is split between the central government and the states.

The Constitution of America is the law of the land.

 It defines how power is shared between national, state, & local governments.

   Our constitution organizes the government into three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial).

Federal government powers: defense, federal taxes, federal laws, peace arrangements, trade agreements, settle disputes between states, etc… State/local governments: education, state taxes, and state defense

Questions to Consider: 

How does a federal system of government divide power?

Questions to Consider:  How does a federal system of government divide power?

 between the central government and smaller units such as states

Questions to Consider:   How does a federal system of government divide power?

 between the central government and smaller units such as states

What defines the rights, responsibilities, & duties of the central & state governments?

Questions to Consider:   How does a federal system of government divide power?

 between the central government and smaller units such as states What defines the rights, responsibilities, & duties of the central & state governments?

 a constitution

What system is this?

What system is this?

What system is this?

What system is this?

A dictator will always have their government in a unitary organization.

TRUE

A Communist nation will have their government in a federal organization.

FALSE

A democratic nation will always be in a federal organization.

FALSE

The Confederate States of America would be an example of a former confederacy organization where the federal government controlled the Southern States.

FALSE

A unitary organization always symbolizes “bad” governments which restrict the rights of the people.

FALSE