1. Jumpstart Assignment
• What is the most important
issue facing our country
today (in your opinion)?
Why do you feel this issue
is the most important?

2. Forms of Government
• Classification can be done 3 ways…

3. Who can participate?
Democracy
• Authority rests with the people.
• A direct democracy exists where the will
of the people is translated into law directly
by the people themselves.
• In an indirect democracy, a small group
of persons, chosen by the people to act as
their representatives, expresses the
popular will.

4. Dictatorship
• A dictatorship exists where those who rule
cannot be held responsible to the will of the
people.
• An autocracy is a government in which a
single person holds unlimited political
power.
• An oligarchy is a government in which the
power to rule is held by a small, usually
self-appointed elite.
Who can participate?

5. Classification by Geographic
Distribution of Power
• A unitary government has all powers
held by a single, central agency.
• A confederation is an alliance of
independent states.
• A federal government is one in which the
powers of government are divided
between a central government and
several local governments.

6. Classification by the Relationship Between
Legislative and Executive Branches

7. Forms of Government

8. Group Activity
• Groups of 3 will create a 1 minute skit
to represent the form of government
they are given.
• You will need to draw the form of
government that is on the other side
of the card.

9. Homework
• Answer questions 1-6 on 16.

10. Homework
• Answer questions 1-6 on 16.