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.