Indirect Democracy In an indirect or representative democracy

Indirect Democracy • In an indirect or representative democracy, the people elect agents who make and carry out the laws. • These representatives rule with the consent of the governed and can be removed by the people at election time. Chapter 1, Section 2 Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 1

Example Democracies • The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. • Most power lies with the Parliament, which is elected by the people. • The queen is the head of state, while the head of government is the Prime Minister, who is the head of the leading party in Parliament. Chapter 1, Section 2 Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 2

Example Democracies, cont. • The United States is a constitution-based federal republic. • The President and members of Congress are chosen by the people. • The President is both Chief of State and Head of Government. Chapter 1, Section 2 Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 3

Unitary Government • In a unitary model, all power belongs to the central government, which may grant some powers to local governments. • The powers of the central government may be limited or unlimited. • Most governments in the world are unitary in form. Chapter 1, Section 2 Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 4

Federal Government • In the federal model, power is divided between a central government and several local governments, usually according to a constitution. • The U. S. and some 25 other states have federal forms of government. Chapter 1, Section 2 Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 5

Confederate Government • A confederation is an alliance of independent governments that grant limited powers, usually involving defense or foreign affairs, to a central government. • The European Union is similar to a confederation. Chapter 1, Section 2 Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 6

Introduction • What are political parties, and how do they function in our two-party system? – A party is a group of people who try to control government by winning elections and holding public office. – Political Parties: • • • Chapter 5, Section 1 Nominate candidates Inform and inspire supporters Encourage good behavior among members Govern once in office Perform oversight on government actions Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 7

What Parties Do • Parties express the will of the people in government. They can also encourage unity by modifying conflicting views and encouraging compromise. • Parties nominate—find, recruit, prepare, and gather public support for—qualified political candidates. • Parties inform the public and try to shape public opinion, using all forms of media to campaign for or against opposing candidates and policy issues. Chapter 5, Section 1 Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 8

Roles of Parties • Parties act as a “bonding agent” to encourage accountability among their candidates and office holders. • Parties play a key roles in governing at all levels. – Legislatures are organized along party lines and parties shape the electoral process. – Partisanship guides many legislative votes and appointments to public office. – Parties provide channels of communication between the branches of government. Chapter 5, Section 1 Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 9

Presidential Government • A presidential government divides executive and legislative power between two branches. • The details of this separation of powers are spelled out in a constitution. Chapter 1, Section 2 Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 10

Multiparty Systems • Multiparty systems are used by many democracies. – They have several major and many smaller parties. – Each party is based on a particular interest. • These interests can include economic class, religion, or political ideology. Chapter 5, Section 1 Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 11

Multiparty Systems, cont. • Multiparty systems tend to represent a more diverse group of citizens. – Supporters admire this feature, arguing that it gives voters many more choices among candidates and policies. – However, this diversity often makes multiparty systems less stable. The power to govern must usually be shared by several parties who join in a coalition. Chapter 5, Section 1 Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 12

Parliamentary Government • In a parliamentary government, the legislature chooses the executive, which is part of the legislature and under its control. • A majority of world governments use the parliamentary system, which lacks some checks and balances but promotes cooperation between the executive and legislative branches. Chapter 1, Section 2 Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 13

Parliamentary Government, cont. • The prime minister is the head of the leading party in Parliament and chooses cabinet members from the Parliament. • If the Parliament loses confidence in the Prime Minister and cabinet, elections are held to form a new government. Chapter 1, Section 2 Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 14

characteristics • • Minimal conflict exec and legis Less effective minority Efficiency Multiple parties Fragmented seats in legis. Multi-party coalitions If no maj. Coalition required to elect exec. Coalition gov’ts are unstable Chapter 1, Section 2 Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 15

One-Party Systems • Only one political party exists, offering no real choice. • Some U. S. states and districts are “modified one -party systems. ” – In these places, one party repeatedly wins most of the elections and dominates government. Chapter 5, Section 1 Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 16