U.S. Government Unit 1 Terms

Unitary: The powers of gov. belong to one centralized agency which creates local units of government for their own convenience their power comes from the central government.  This is the most prominent in the world.U.K.,

Federal: The powers of gov. are divided between central government and several local governments.  A higher authority divides those powers and together only can they change this. Australia, Canada, Mexico, U.S.,  Swiss, Germans, India and 20 others.

Confederate: Alliance between independent states.  One weak central gov. only handles what the states allow it to handle. CSA, Articles of Confed. 1781-1789

Presidential: Separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches of gov.  the two branches are coequal but separate.  The executive is chosen independently of the legislature and holds office for a fixed term with broad powers

Parliamentary:The executive is the prime minister or premier.  The cabinet and the executive are of the legislative branch.  The prime minister is chosen by the parliament or legislative branch and is a member of the majority party.  They stay in office as long as parliament decides.  Parliament can call an election whenever needed with a vote of no confidence. The government is dissolved and a new one is formed.  This is the majority of the world

Dictatorship:One person in charge, the policies of government go unchecked.  The people do not have a voice.  They put their trust in the dictator to care for their needs and protect their rights.

Direct Democracy:Authority rests with the people.  Pure democracy where the will of the people is public policy directly given by the people

Representative Democracy: The will of the people becomes policy through elected representatives