2. Government Systems & Types A Brief Review 3. GovernmentSystems-- Whose Got the Power?
Unitary --power is held by one central authority
Confederation --association of independent states that agree to certain limitations on their freedoms by joining together
Federal --power is divided between central authority & several regional authorities
Which system does Australia have?
4. Government Types -- How Do Citizens Participate?
Autocratic -- 1 person possesses unlimited power & citizens have limited role in government
Oligarchic -- small group exercises control & citizens have limited role in government
Democratic --supreme power is vested in the people & exercised by them directly or indirectly though a system of representation involving free elections
Which type does Australia have?
5. Two Types of Democratic Governments
Parliamentary -- a system of government having the real executive power vested in a cabinet composed of members of the legislature who elect the leader
Leader works with or through the legislature
Presidential --system of government in which the leader is constitutionally independent of the legislature
Leader works separate from legislature
*Which type of democracy does Australia have?
6. Australias Government
Federation (federal system)
Parliamentary Democracy
Constitutional Monarchy
7. Leadership
1.Head of State: Monarchof the United Kingdom (presently, Queen Elizabeth II); little political power
2.Governor General : stands in for the monarch
3.Prime Minister : holds the most political power; works closely with the legislature
8. Her MajestyQueen Elizabeth II 9. Her ExcellencyThe Right HonorableQuentin Bryce (Governor General) 10. The Right HonorableKevin Rudd (Prime Minister) 11. How the Leader is Chosen
Governor General:appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister; serves a 5 year term
Prime Minister : is the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons; indirectly elected by the people
12. Legislature: Parliament
Senate(76 seats): there are 12 members from each state and 2 from each territory.
State senators are elected every 6 years and territory senators every 3 years.
House of Representatives(152 seats): members are directly elected by the people
largest political party in the House elects the Prime Minister
