The The GovernmentGovernment

London Gates Summer Camp

Types of Government are based on one key questionWho governs and what is the citizen participation?

There are four types of governments: Anarchy

AutocracyOligarchy

Democracy

Systems of Government are based on one question:How is the power distributed?

There are three ways governments distribute power:

Unitary (Sweden, Norway, Ireland)Confederation (Confederate States of

America 1861-1863)Federation (Russian Federation,

Switzerland, USA, Germany)

Federations and unitary Federations and unitary states states

#1 DictatorshipThe leader uses force to control all aspects of social and economic life.

#2 Absolute Monarchy A monarchy has a king, queen, emperor or empress. The power is usually inherited or passed down from family members. The monarch has absolute power - make all decisions without consulting anyone.Oman, Saudi Arabia.

MONARCHY

#3 Constitutional MonarchyKings, queens or emperors share powerwith elected legislatures. Generally they are nothing more than figureheads (ceremonial).The government is a democratic one that limits the monarchs power. Great Britain

“Democracy” literally means “Ruled by the people.”

In a democracy, the people govern – by voting. Two METHODS of Democracy

Direct Democracy Representative Democracy

May combine both (Switzerland)

DEMOCRACY

There are two major kinds of democratic governments: Parliamentary Presidential

Few people such as a dominant clan or clique have power.

The group gets their power from either military, wealth or social status. Elections may be held but offer only one candidate.

OLIGARCHY

Greek city states Caudillos - those who owned large estates throughout Sparta the land

ConstitutionConstitution

A set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed.

TASK 1

Do You Know Your Forms of Government?

A or B?A or B?1. Citizens often have no 1. Citizens often have no rights.rights.

AA BBDemocracyDemocracy DictatorshipDictatorship

A or B?A or B?2. Led by a king or queen.2. Led by a king or queen.

AA BBMonarchyMonarchy OligarchyOligarchy

A or B?A or B?3. Democracy where citizens 3. Democracy where citizens elect others to serve in elect others to serve in government.government.

AA BBDirectDirect RepresentativeRepresentative

A or B?A or B?4. Citizens vote to elect their 4. Citizens vote to elect their leaders.leaders.

AA BBDemocracyDemocracy MonarchyMonarchy

A or B?A or B?5. Democracy where citizens 5. Democracy where citizens participate in lawmaking participate in lawmaking themselves.themselves.

AA BBDirectDirect RepresentativeRepresentative

Task 2

Complete the chart

1. A monarchy can be like a dictatorship or it can be part of a democracy.

True False

Example or Reason:

2. A dictatorship can also be a democracy.

True False

Example or Reason:

3. A democracy can have both representative and direct characteristics at the same time.

True False

Example or Reason:

True or False?True or False?

Denmark / Saudi Arabia

Citizens get no say in a dictatorship

Switzerland

Task 3

Identify That Government!

NORTH KOREAOne man leads North Korea and controls its government. He also controls its ruling political party. The ruling party chooses candidates for an Assembly, and citizens vote. The candidates do not have opponents, so citizens have no choices.

Form of Government:__________________________________dictatorship

DENMARKThe people of Denmark elect representatives to sit in Parliament, a lawmaking body. The Queen of Denmark heads the country, but she only has a small role in government. The government is led by a Prime Minister, who is appointed from among the elected representatives.

Forms of Government:__________________________________

and

__________________________________

monarchy

representative democracy

BRAZILBrazil is led by a president who is elected by the citizens. Citizens in Brazil elect a new president every four years. Citizens also elect representatives to serve in two different legislative bodies.

Form of Government:__________________________________representative democracy

SWITZERLANDCitizens elect representatives to sit in two different lawmaking assemblies. But citizens also vote several times a year to decide on laws. Citizens can vote to propose their own laws or undo laws passed by their representatives. All citizens may vote directly on these laws.

Forms of Government:__________________________________

and

__________________________________

representative democracy

direct democracy