Date post: | 13-May-2015 |
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FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
NOTES
Learning Target #1
I can define government and I can explain the ways in which it works to serve society.
Frayer Model
Purposes of Government
1.Provide security– Maintain law and order– Provide public services– Maintain other institutions
Learning Target #2
I can identify the various forms of government in the world and I can describe the sources of power for each.
Learning Target #3
I can evaluate how effective the various forms of government have been in serving society.
Autocracy
A system of government in which the power to rule is in the hands of a single individual
Monarchy
Autocracy in which a king, queen, or emperor exercises the supreme powers of government
Absolute Monarchy
A system of government in which the monarch has complete and unlimited power to rule his or her people• Source of Power?
o Divine Right
Absolute Monarchy
Example: France, 1600sLouis XIV
Constitutional Monarchy
A system of government in which the monarch shares power with elected legislatures or serves mainly as a ceremonial leader of government• Source of Power?
o Constitution
Constitutional Monarchy
Example: Great BritainQueen Elizabeth II PM Gordon Brown
Dictatorship
Autocracy in which an individual seizes power by force and exercises unlimited power• Source of Power?
o Military
Dictatorship
Example: North KoreaKim Jong Il
Dictatorship
Other Famous Dictators• Adolf Hitler in Germany• Pol Pot in Cambodia• Augusto Pinochet in Chile• Josef Stalin in USSR• Mao Zedong in China
Dictatorship
ADVANTAGES• People may be
united in their loyalty to a dictator.
• A dictator can move quickly to take action.
DISADVANTAGES• People are often
given little or no freedom.
• A dictator’s policies may suit only his own needs.
• Decision-making has a narrow base.
Oligarchy
A system of government in which most political power rests with a small segment of society
Democracy
A system of government in which the people rule
The Pillars of Democracy
• Sovereignty of the people• Consent of the governed• Majority rule• Minority rights• Guarantee of basic human rights• Free & fair elections• Equality before the law• Due process of the law• Limited government• Diversity• Cooperation• Compromise
Source: US Department of State
Direct Democracy
A form of democracy in which people govern themselves by voting on issues• Source of Power?
o The peopleo Constitution
Direct Democracy
ADVANTAGES• Every citizen has
equal say in govt.• Broad base of
support and loyalty.• Individual rights are
protected.
DISADVANTAGES• Only works with a
small number of people.
• Time-consuming.
Representative Democracy
A form of democracy in which the people elect representatives and give them the responsibility and power to make and conduct government• Source of Power?
o The peopleo Constitution
Representative Democracy
ADVANTAGES
• Citizens are involved.• Representatives know
their job depends on keeping citizens happy.
• Likely that all elements of the population involved.
• Reps usually educated with time to devote to gov’t problems.
DISADVANTAGES
• Decision-making is time-consuming.
• Reps may want to please everyone.
• Reps may not always agree with those they represent.
• Citizens may not get involved in gov’t.