African Governments7th Grade Social Studies

Who has the POWER?

What is a government?A group of people that have the power to make the laws.Governments distribute or give power in one of three ways: Unitary, Confederation and Federal.

Unitary-

government

power is held by

one central

authority-Morocco

and Ghana

Confederation-associated states that

agree to work together-South Africa and

Uganda

Federal –power is divided by one central government and regional authorities-Nigeria and Ethiopia.

Distribution of Power

Who can Participate???

Autocratic-one leader has all the power and the people have none!Oligarchic-control is in the hands or two or more people-the people have no power.Democratic-the people hold the power and vote for leaders who represent them.

Two Types of Democracy

Parliamentary Democracy

Legislature controls the power. The head of the government is a prime minister.

Both the legislature and Prime Minister are elected by the people.

Example: South Africa

Presidential The executive and

legislative branches are separate bodies elected by the people. Each branch has equal power. The head of the government is the president.

Example: Kenya

• Republic• Constitutional Republic• Three branches like the United

StatesKenya

• Parliamentary Democracy with President

• Three branches-executive, legislative and judicial

Republic of South Africa

• Presidential System in the making• New state up nation a work in

progress

South Sudan new

nation 2011

Comparing Governments: Africa

Governments Defined

Parliamentary Democracy-South

Africa The political party with the most

members in the National Assembly selects the President.

This is the major difference between a Presidential Democracy and a Parliamentary Democracy!

Parliamentary Democracy – legislature chooses the executive leader

Presidential Democracy-

Kenya A presidential system is a

republic system of government where a head of government is also head of state and leads an executive branch that is separate from the legislative branch.

Is It Really a Republic??? There are many nations

in Africa that call themselves Republics-like the Democratic Republic of Congo. Most of them ARE NOT REAL DEMOCRACIES. They are frequently military dictatorships or led by rebel groups that fight for years.

How did the South Sudan Develop?

The Sudan is made up of two major groups: Arabs and Black African farmers. The Arabs dominated the government and wanted the farmers to leave.

There was oil in the farm land.

The government hired mercenaries to torment the farmers and for years they killed and burned out the farmers.

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Education in Africa

Kenya Education made available in

2003. Only half of the children attend school, there is a shortage of teachers, books and money.

Boys go to school more often than girls-they are needed at home.

Literacy rate: boys-91%, girls-79%

Sudan Civil war has impacted

education. Education is free in the

urban areas for 8 years. More boys than girls attend. Literacy rate: boys-72%, girls-50%

Shortage of teachers, money and supplies

Conflict

Reduces

$$$ for

education

More boys

go to

school

than girls

Government Stability Many African governments

are in the hands of dishonest and corrupt leaders.

There are many civil wars and that affect how the people live.

Most of the resources like gold and diamonds are used to pay for wars.

The people are not provided with health care, education, services.

The color of

conflicts

Government Stability???? These nations do not

have a developed infrastructure.

Famine, starvation and medical issues like AIDS and malaria cannot be helped.

70% of Sub-Saharan Africa is HIV positive.

Life expectancy is below age 50%

Political Instability Index

Political Instability IndexThis list of nations is able to make deductions on how stable a government is using several indicators.They are about 90% accurate.

How do they predict?History of nation/conflictsCorruption and type of government todayEthnic problemsTrust of governmentInfant Mortality RateStatus of minoritiesEconomic growthIndependence date