Forms of Governance
Isabella Hernandez
9 min read
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Study Guide Overview
This study guide covers governance and political geography, focusing on forms of governance (democracy, autocracy, oligarchy, etc.), federal vs. unitary systems, shapes of states (compact, elongated, prorupted, perforated), and the impact of globalization and supranationalism. It provides examples, practice questions, and exam tips to help prepare for the AP Human Geography exam.
#AP Human Geography: Governance & Political Geography - Night Before Review 🚀
Hey there, future geographer! Let's get you prepped for the exam. This guide is designed to be your quick, go-to resource for a final review. We'll hit the key points and make sure you're feeling confident. Let's dive in!
#Foundations of Governance
#What is Governance?
Governance is simply how a community or organization makes decisions and uses its authority. It’s about who gets to decide and how those decisions are made. Think of it as the rulebook and the referees for a society. 💡
- Key Idea: Governance structures vary widely, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses.
#Forms of Governance
Let's break down some of the main types:
- Democracy: Power to the people! Citizens have a say, either directly or through elected representatives.
- Direct Democracy: Citizens vote on everything (think ancient Athens).
- Representative Democracy: Citizens elect officials to make decisions (like the U.S.).
- Autocracy: One person or group holds all the power. 👑
- Monarchy: Rule by a king or queen.
- Dictatorship: Rule by a single leader with absolute power.
- Totalitarianism: A system where the state controls every aspect of life.
- Oligarchy: A small group holds power (often based on wealth, race, or gender). 💰
- Federalism: Power is shared between a central government and regional governments. 🤝
- Anarchy: No central authority; decisions are made through voluntary cooperation. 🕊️
Practice Question
Multiple Choice:
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Which of the following best describes a unitary system of government? (A) Power is divided between a central government and regional governments. (B) Power is held primarily by the central government. (C) Power is shared among multiple political parties. (D) Power is distributed equally among all citizens. (E) Power is concentrated in the hands of a single dictator.
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A country where a small group of wealthy elites controls the government is best described as: (A) a democracy (B) an autocracy (C) an oligarchy (D) a federal state (E) an anarchy
Free Response Question:
Explain the difference between a federal and unitary system of government. Provide one real-world example of each system and discuss a potential advantage and disadvantage of each system.
Scoring Rubric:
- Explanation of Federal System (1 point): A clear definition of federalism as a system where power is shared between a central government and regional or state governments.
- Example of Federal System (1 point): A valid example of a country with a federal system, such as the United States, Canada, or Germany.
- Advantage of Federal System (1 point): A reasonable advantage of federalism, such as accommodating regional differences or preventing tyranny through checks and balances.
- Disadvantage of Federal System (1 point): A reasonable disadvantage of federalism, such as potential conflicts between central and regional governments or inefficiencies due to overlapping jurisdictions.
- Explanation of Unitary System (1 point): A clear definition of a unitary system as a system where power is held primarily by the central government.
- Example of Unitary System (1 point): A valid example of a country with a unitary system, such as France, China, or the United Kingdom.
- Advantage of Unitary System (1 point): A reasonable advantage of a unitary system, such as efficiency in dec...
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