Who Has the

Power?

SS6CG1, SS6CG4, SS6CG6

The student will compare and contrast various forms of government.
(a) Describe the ways government systems distribute power: unitary,
confederation, and federal.

First of allwhat is
government?

Government
a body with the authority to make, enforce, and
interpret laws for a country or area. The basic
purpose of government is to keep order,
provide services, and to protect the common
good or the well-being of the people.

Governments distribute
their power through three
basic systems:
Think.UFC

No, not that UFC!!

UFC

These terms are just words to describe WHO has the power in the government,
WHO is the decision maker.

U
F
C

nitary
ederal
onfederation

Types of Distribution

There are three (3) basic types of ways in

which power is distributed, or spread
throughout a government: to spread
power throughout government
Unitary
Confederation
Federal

These terms are just words to describe WHO

has the power in the government, WHO is
the decision maker.

Unitary

* a central government makes all laws for

the entire country

* stronger than federal central

governments
* Ex: France, Italy, Japan, South Korea,
and Kenya.

Federal

* power is divided among:

central
regional
local governments

* Ex: United States, Canada, Mexico, and

Brazil.
When writing how the power is
divided, please write each on its on
line.

The Federal Government is divided

into three levels of government.
Central = responsible for national affairs.
Example: US Capitol

Regional = includes state or

provincial governments.
Example: Georgia State Capitol

Local = includes county, city

and town governments.
Example: Polk County
Courthouse

Confederation

* a group of independent states join

together and give limited powers to a
common government

* can be unstable
* rare form of government
* Ex: the confederate States of America
and the British Commonwealth of Nations

Who Has the Power?

Ok now lets review
What is government?
A government is a body with the authority to
make, enforce, and interpret laws for a country or
area.
Governments distribute their power through three
basic systems, what are they?
Think UFC
Unitary, Federal, Confederation
What are the three levels of the federal government?
Central, Regional, Local

Who has the power in a Unitary system?

The central government does!

Who has the power in a Federal system?

Power is divided between the central
government and the government of smaller
political units like states.
Who has the power in a Confederation system?
A group of independent states join together
and give limited powers to a common
government.