Global Political Systems

2013

Political SystemGovernmentNation-State

Explain global political systems; strengths and weaknesses.

Autocracy Oligarchy

Democracy

What is the difference between a nation and a nation-state?A “nation” is a group

of people that share an ethnic, religious or other common bond.

Examples: Cherokee Nation.

Steeler Nation.

A “nation-state” means the same as a country.

Brazil is a nation-state today. It has a government and political system while controlling its borders and all the people inside them.

Nation-states are sovereign.

Global Political Systems.Autocratic

Oligarchy

Democracy

Rule by one

Rule by small group

Rule by citizens

A political system controlled by one person is an autocracy;

Examples include a dictatorship or a monarchy.

MonarchySaudi Arabia’s King Abdullah became King in August, 2005.

He chooses the members of the legislature and the country’s judges.

DictatorshipZimbabwean

President Robert Mugabe uses force to prevent anyone else from gaining political power.

He refused to allow open elections for President in 2011.

Advantages DisadvantagesVery effective during

wartime or emergency- decisions made quickly and decisively.

Decisions are made at the top level of government and communicated down to the people.

Governed have little or no consent in selection.

Governed have little or no input towards new policies of nation-state.

A political system controlled by a few persons (2-15) is a called an oligarchy.

Three types of oligarchies are:

theocracies;aristocracies; andpolitical party elites.

TheocracyThe Vatican City, Rome, is a theocracy.

Pope Francis was selected by over 100 Roman Catholic Cardinals.

Theocracy The Dali Llama is the spiritual leader of the state of Tibet. He was chosen by a small group of Buddhist leaders.

Today Tibet is occupied by Peoples’ Republic of China today.

Theocracy

Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei was chosen by Muslim leaders as Iran’s Supreme Leader.

Some portions of the Koran are law in Iran.

AristocraciesPortrait of Grand

Duke of Tuscany Cosimo II de Medici ( 1590 1621).

His family, and others, made money through banking and then controlled the government in Florence, Italy for decades.

These families were highly educated.

Political Party ElitePeoples’ Republic of

China (PRC) is a political party elite today.

Xi Jinping, is the President of the PRC. He is the fourth man from the left.

The PRC’s Communist Party is the only party permitted to run candidates for election.

These men control the entire party.

President Xi Jinping (left) and past President Hu Jintao

Advantages DisadvantagesEffective for

members of small group to concentrate political power over others.

Decision making by small group, government leaders or not, communicated down to governed.

Governed have little or no consent in selection.

Governed have little or no input towards new policies of nation-state.

The United States has a democratic political system.

Citizens rule!

DemocracyTwo types exist: direct and a republic.

In a direct democracy, citizens make political decisions themselves.

In a republic, representatives choose for the citizens.

Direct: people decide themselves.1. Referendum.2. Initiative or

Propositions.

In November, 2012 citizens in the States of Washington and Colorado voted on ballot questions.

Voters in both states chose voted to legalize marijuana for recreational use.

Republic: citizens choose representatives to decide.

Pennsylvania’s US Senator Pat Toomey represents the citizens of Pennsylvania in Washington, DC.

He makes political decisions for us.

Advantages DisadvantagesPolicy making

process includes many inputs from governed.

Selection process for government officials includes many inputs from governed.

Time consuming process to make new public policies and choose new government officials.

Policy making and selection process are confrontational and time consuming.

Government must balance common good with individual liberties.