GOVERNMENTSacred Heart

CollegeSocial Studies

3rd form

GovernmentA group of people who have the authority to:

Set goals and policies for the good of the

country.

Make laws and regulations defining how people

are to go about achieving these goals.

Enforce compliance with the laws and

regulations.

Forms of Government

Democratic Government

System of government which allows citizens to govern themselves by either participating in the decision-making process directly or indirectly.

Directly means you can

become a member of

government.

Indirectly means that you

choose your representatives

through voting.

Characteristics of a Democracy

Offer themselves as member of parliament.

Vote in elections.

Form competing political parties.

Choose representatives from at least 2 competing

parties.

Criticize government policies.

Have an input in government policies (consultations or

media).

Challenge decisions of government in free and just

courts of law.

I wondered why somebody didn’t do something for

peace, then I realized that I am

somebody.

Who votes?

Citizens may vote:o Natives (Belizeans by birth)

o Naturalized Belizeans

A Citizen is a native or naturalized member of a

country, who owes allegiance and loyalty

to that country and who is entitled to protection from the government of

that country.

Who can become a

Belizean Citizen

Any person married to a Belizean Citizen.

A person who has been a continuous resident for a

period of five years (naturalized).

A person who makes a substantial contribution to

the economy or wellbeing of country.

A person is also entitled to citizenship in a country

if his/her parents are Belizeans by descent.

Who cannot vote?

Illegal immigrants

Persons who are declared mentally

incompetent to exercise judgement.

Persons convicted and serving

sentences during time of confinement.

Reasons/Factors that Determine the Way People Vote

Social class in society

Parental influence

Government’s performance/the

opposition’s performance

Local issues in society

Issues & policy preferences of the

various parties

Reasons/Factors that Determine the Way People Vote

Length of election and advertising used in

campaigns

Campaigns and advertising (marketing)

Economic conditions of country

Preferences for candidates who share

similar racial, religious ethnic background

or gender and age.

The perception of honesty, morality and

the ability to lead in particular candidates.

Why do individuals refuse to vote?

Religion

Belief that registered voters are also put in the

jury pool.

Feeling that voting makes no difference because

officials forget people once they are elected.

Disapproval of candidate their party has chosen.

A dislike of the party policy or policies.

ACTIVITY

In a school, students have the

opportunity to elect class monitors and

prefects and student council

representatives.

Explain two other ways in which the

school can promote democracy.

ASSIGNMENT

Suggest to the leaders of political parties in your country, four

ways by which they may get young people interested in national

elections.

Other forms of Government

AutocracyMonarchyRepublicOligarchyAristocracyAnarchy

AUTHORITARIAN FORMS OF GOVERNMENT

FORMS CHARACTERISTICS

Oligarchy Rule by a small group or the elite.

Dictatorship

(Hitler and Mussolini)

Rule by a group or an individual, known as a dictator, who exercises absolute authority.

Dictator’s power is not limited by the laws.

Dictator control the political party, army and police.

Totalitarianism

A system of government which is formed by one political group.

It does not tolerate any opposition.

Difference between Authoritarian/ Democratic forms of Government..

Democratic government may:

Form competing political parties

Select their representatives from among

competing political parties.

Make an input in government’s policies.

Criticize government’s policies.

Challenge their decisions in courts of

law.

Which of the following best describes a

constitution?A. A contract between government

and electorate.B. A contract between government

and the citizens.C. A contract between some

citizens and government.D. A contract between some

citizens and government.

Which of the following best describes adult suffrage?

A. The right of some 18 year old to vote in national elections.

B. The right of only an18 year old to vote in national elections.

C. The right of all persons 18 years and older to vote in national elections.

D. The right of all persons 18 years and younger to vote in national elections.

Which of the following best describes the electorate?I. All who are eligible to vote to elect a

government.II. All who are eligible to vote to elect a Prime

Minister.III. All who are eligible to vote to elect a leader of

the opposition.IV. All who are eligible to vote to elect a parliament.

A. i onlyB. i and ii onlyC. i and iv onlyD. i, ii, iii and iv

Franchise is the right to vote based on

A. Adulthood onlyB. Adulthood and citizenshipC. Adulthood and party

membershipD. Adulthood and property

ownership

Suffrage is the right

A. Of all citizen to vote in a national election.

B. Of only 18 year olds to vote in an election.

C. Of adult citizens to vote in a national election.

D. Of people under 18 to vote in an election.

Democracy is a system of government in whichA. People govern

themselves.B. An individual exercises

absolute authority.C. A small group exercise

absolute authority.D. The government is elected

by a small group.

Which of the following are features of a

democracy?i. Competing political partiesii. A single political partyiii. Free and fair electionsiv. Regular elections

A. i onlyB. i and ii onlyC. i and iv onlyD. i, ii, iii and iv

Power and Authority

◦Ability to exercise one’s will over others

◦Sources of power in political systems include:Force: actual or threatened use of coercion to impose one’s political dissidents

Influence: exercise of power through a process of persuasion

Authority

• Power

Power and Authority

Authority: institutionalized power recognized by people over whom it is exercised

Traditional Authority: legitimate power conferred by custom and accepted practice

Charismatic Authority: power is made legitimate by leader’s exceptional personal or emotional appeal to his or her followers

Legal-Rational Authority: power is made legitimate by law

• Types of Authority

Types of LeadersDemocratic Leader

Is not arrogant or tyrannical. Involves members in the decision making process. Accepts suggestions from others in the group. Utilizes talents and skills from all members in the group.

Authoritarian Leader Orders and Commands. Does no share decision-making. Everyone is required to follow his instructions. He does as he sees fit. He believes getting the task done is the major priority.

Laissez-faire Leader Does no show much concern for other members of the

group. Group members function separate from one another. Little attention is paid to the goals of the group. Leader involvement is minimal. Leader has little influence on

the members.

Government types - Game