GovernmentMullin

Geographic RegionsRepresent great clusters of common

human activity or common physical characteristics.

Physical / Natural Characteristics Landforms, Climate, Vegetation

Human / Cultural Characteristics Government, Religion, Ethnicity,

Population, Disease May change over time

Geographic Regions Do NOT have definite borders

May differ based on point of view

Separated from other regions by transition zones

Transition ZonesEdges of regions

An area of constant change where two adjacent regions join

Marked by a gradual shift (rather than a sharp break) in the characteristics that distinguish neighboring regions

Area of mixed characteristics; possible tension between culture groups

Example: Muslims versus Hindus in Pakistan and India.

Video Clip: Gandhihttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4DTX5JPgKc

Look at who is being separated….are they getting along? Do they want to be separated?

Sub-RegionsAll regions can be divided into physical features

and human characteristics Example: United States’ sub-regions may include:

Northeast, Midwest, South, North, West Coast Metropolitan and Suburban areas= human (cultural)

properties Physical Regions (Rocky Mountains, Great Lakes) Texas Example:, Piney Woods, West Texas, The Valley,

Coast, East Texas, Panhandle Region and sub-region boundaries are based on

criteria we establish

Political Geography and Gov

What is Political Geography? The study of government systems from around the world.

What is Government? An organization that people set up to protect their community and to enforce its rules.

Roles of the Gov

To protect life

To protect liberty

To protect the property of members of the community

To provide goods that the people cannot provide on their own

BordersPolitical Borders – determined by government

and are artificial (imaginary lines) Example: North and South Korea

Natural Borders –created by physical characteristics that divide one place from another.Example: Rio Grande River (Mexico and US)

Videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

2Nzm2CidMpM

30 minutes

What are nations and states?

State – an independent unit that occupies a specific territory and has full control of its internal and external affairs. Sometimes called “country” .

Nation – people w/ a common culture living in a common territory and having a strong sense of unity

Nation State – when a nation and a state occupy the same territory

Stateless Nation - some groups have a common nationality but no territory

Stateless-nation Example: Palestinians, Kurds

MonarchyRuled by a monarch headed by a King or Queen (the title).

The ruler inherits their power - when the ruler dies, power is passed to one of the monarch’s children or close relative.

These monarchs (kings, sultans, emperors) surround themselves with followers and advisors who help them govern.

Pros – ______________

Cons – Limits on ______________

Constitutional MonarchyMonarchs share power with an representative

legislature Parliament

Usually the monarch serves as a symbolic head of state while elected members of Parliament govern the country.

Example: United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Jordan

Video Cliphttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-GkrHKcwvo

RepublicA republic is a government without a king or a

queen.

Usually when a country overturns its monarchy it will become a republic.

Republics can be democratic, theocratic, or parliamentary.

An example would be the United States, which is a Democratic Republic

DemocracyGovernment authority is based on the will of the

people.

People either vote on issues directly, or they elect representatives who make government decisions for them.

People have certain rights – whereas they can criticize the government freely.

Types: Direct Democracy, Representative Democracy, Modern Democracies

Direct DemocracyThe very first known democracy was in ancient

Greece in the 5th Century BCE.Democracy is Greek for “people power”.Citizens assembled to make decisions for their

city-states.They voted on these issues directly. This is where

the term direct-democracy evolved from.

Representative Democracy

It is a democracy where different social groups elect their own representatives, who then met in assemblies.

Nobles were represented in the Senate

Government power was divided between two branches and voting was on various issues.

Romans were the first to develop the representative democracy.

DictatorshipOne individual holds complete political power

The leader either seizes control by force or is placed into a position of authority by others

The citizens have little influence over governmental policy and do NOT have the right to choose their own leaders

If a small group holds the power, called an “oligarchy”

Pros – easy, quick to makes big changes

Cons – corruption, dissent is not allowed

ActivityGovernment Comparison Chart

Completed in class over the next two days.Stations are timed. Rotate every 10 minutes.Due end of next week.

Totalitarianism A form of dictatorship that seeks to control all aspects of

social life within a country

This control extends to the public life, private life, communications, economy and government system.

Government also controls television, radio, and newspapers.

Censor of books and articles that criticize the government

No separate political parties, labor unions, or other organizations are allowed.

Government either controls or prohibits all social and religious groups.

Chinese Censorshiphttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeFzeNAHEhU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hooL98OwlMM

CommunismThe government plans and controls the

economy and a single - often authoritarian party holds power

The elimination of private/individual ownership of property or capital

Example: Cuba, People’s Republic of China, North Korea

Pros – Classless Society

Cons – lack of Freedom

Video Cliphttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7B-nlmdX0g

TheocracyGovernment run by spiritual leaders. It is an old

form of government, like a monarchy.

Government claims to be directed by God or divinely blessed. No legal separation between church and state

Citizens of other faiths are often excluded or expelled.

Ancient times rulers were often priests.

Anarchy of Failed StateNo one in charge, only gangs and warlords.

Fueled by drugs or desire to command resources.

Happens when a country collapses.

Example: Somalia, parts of West Africa

ActivityComplete Gov Comparison Chart.

Due at end of class.

9/11http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-B6c6xxXug