Download Chapter 1.1 Power Among Levels of Government

Chapter 1.2 Power Among Levels
of Government
• Governments differ
in how power is
distributed among
levels
– National
– Regional
– Local
Systems used to distribute Power
of government
• Unitary system
– All legal power is held by national government
• Sometimes called “central government”
– Local governments have no independent
powers
• Job is to represent central government by carrying
out decisions made by central government
– Examples:
• United Kingdom (England), Israel, Japan
Systems used to distribute Power
of government
• Federal Systems
– Powers are divided among:
• National governments
• State governments
• Local governments
– Some powers belong only to certain levels of
government.
• Example: National governments (Declare a draft)
– Some are shared
• Example: Paying taxes
– Examples: USA, Australia, India, Germany
Systems used to distribute Power
of government
• Confederal System
– Independent states join together to accomplish
common goals.
– Can have a central government, but not necessary.
– Examples:
•
•
•
•
USA (1781-1789)
Confederacy States of America (1860-1865)
European Union
United Nations
Two Systems Used to Spread Power Within
Levels of Government
• Presidential system
– System of government
where executive branch is
separate from legislative
branch
• Executive branch/Head of
State
– President
• Legislative branch
– Congress
• Judicial branch
– Supreme Court
• Parliamentary System
– Executive leader is part of
legislative branch
• Executive (2)
– Head of State
(Queen/King)
– Prime Minister (leader of
Parliament)
• Legislative
– Parliament