Ch. 1 Section 2: Forms of Government

Is a monarch more powerful in a constitutional monarchy or an absolute monarchy?

• Constitutional Monarchy

• Absolute Monarchy

What is the difference between a direct democracy and a republic?

• The are the same.

• In a direct democracy, the people make political decisions themselves. In a republic, the people elect representatives to make these decisions for them.

• In a direct democracy, the people elect representatives to make these decisions for them. In a republic, the people make political decisions themselves.

• A direct democracy is a dictatorship. A republic is a democracy.

What is the difference between regional levels of government in a federal system and those in a confederal system?

• In a federal system, the regional governments are much more powerful than the national government. In a confederal system, the regional governments share power with the national governments.

• There is no difference.

• Think about the "Confederate States of America". The southern states seceded to form their own government, apart from the federal government.

• In a federal system, regional governments share power with the national government. In a confederal system, the regional governments are much more powerful than the national government.

Why is gridlock less of a problem in parliamentary systems?

• Gridlock occurs when two or more parties can not agree on something.

• Since the legislature and the prime minister are part of the same, single branch of government and are not subject to separation of powers, they do not always need the agreement of the other to get things done.

• Gridlocks are more common in parliamentary systems than in presidential systems.