Warm Up

1. What patterns/groupings do you see in the map?

2. What are the most common and least common forms of government?

3. On what continent do you find the most types forms of government?

Ch. 14 Types of Government

Government 14(B) Compare how democracy, dictatorship, monarchy, republic, theocracy, and totalitarian systems operate in specific countries.

Essential Questions

• What are the major differences between different types of government?

• What is the best form of government?

Government• Government is an organization

that people set up to protect their community and to enforce rules.

• The role of government is to: – protect the lives, liberties and

property of members of the community.

– to provide those services that individuals cannot otherwise provide on their own.

– To exercise authority, governments are given power - the authority to use force.

Dictatorship

• A dictatorship is a system of government in which a single person or small group exercises complete power over others. The dictator either seizes control by force, or is placed into a position of authority by others. In some countries, the military sometimes seized power and established a dictatorship.

• Head of State• Decision Makers• Source of Power & How it is

acquired• Length of Rule: Until

Overthrown• Political Freedoms

determined by: Dictator, ordinary citizens have few rights & little power

• Examples: Zimbabwe, Uganda

Monarchy

• Monarchy is probably the oldest form of government. The main characteristic of a monarchy is that the ruler inherits power. When the ruler dies, power automatically passes to one of the monarch's children or close relatives.

• Monarchs- kings, emperors, or sultans - fulfill their role as supreme ruler by surrounding themselves with followers and advisors who help them govern.

• Head of State• Decision Makers• Source of Power & How it is

acquired• Length of Rule: Until death,

no more heirs, or overthrown

• Political Freedoms determined by: Monarch, advisors, legislators

• Examples: Jordan, Great Britain

Monarchy Systems

Absolute Monarchy• King or queen claimed

absolute power, often because of divine right (will of God). Ordinary people had no rights or freedoms unless granted by monarch.

Constitutional Monarchy• Monarchs share their power

with elected legislature • Ex: Great Britain: Queen

serves as symbolic head of state while members of parliament govern country.

Democracy

• In a democracy, government 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. In a democracy, people also enjoy certain basic rights. This gives them the confidence to criticize the government freely.

• Head of State• Decision Makers• Source of Power & How it

is acquired• Length of Rule: Varies (U.S.

– 8 yr limit for president) • Political Freedoms

determined by: Constitutions

• Examples: U.S., France

Democratic Systems

Direct Democracy• Citizens assembled to make

decisions & vote directly on issues.

• Ex: 500 B.C. in ancient Athens, Greece.

Representative Democracy• People elect their

representatives who then vote on issues of government.

• Typically have two branches: One based on population and the other based on social grouping (i.e. states get 2 senators)

Republic

• When a society over turns its monarchy, it becomes a republic. A republic is simply a government without a king or queen. Often, the people in a republic choose representatives to make decisions. The United States, for example, is a republic.

• A republic might also be governed by a group of hereditary nobles, such as the Republics of Venice and Genoa once were.

• Head of State• Decision Makers• Source of Power & How

it is acquired• Length of Rule: Until new

reps chosen• Political Freedoms

determined by: Reps vote on

• Examples: Genoa, Venice

Theocracy• A theocracy is a government run

by religious leaders. Like monarchy, theocracy is an old form of government. In a theocracy, the government claims to be directed by God, or divinely blessed.

• There is no legal separation between church and state, and citizens of other faiths are often excluded or expelled.

• In ancient times, rulers were often priests. The Pharaohs of ancient Egypt, for example, were believed to be gods.

• In the Middle Ages, the head of the Catholic Church, the Pope, ruled extensive territories in Italy.

• In early colonial times, Puritan ministers helped govern Massachusetts.

• Head of State : Supreme Leader

• Decision Makers• Source of Power & How

it is acquired• Length of Rule: Until

overthrown or elected out

• Political Freedoms determined by: Religious law

• Examples: Iran & Vatican City

Totalitarian Systems• The government controlled all aspects of

individual life• Under totalitarianism, people can only

belong to organizations controlled by the government. No separate political parties, labor unions, or other organizations are allowed. The government either controls or prohibits all churches and religious groups. One leader or political party maintains total control over all aspects of society. This control extends to the police, military, communications, economy and the educational system.

• The government also controls all television, radio, and newspapers. Government censorship prohibits all books or articles criticizing the government. All dissent is suppressed and citizens are terrorized by secret police. People who oppose the government are arrested and sent to labor camps or killed.

• Head of State• Decision Makers• Source of Power & How

it is acquired• Length of Rule: until

overthrown• Political Freedoms

determined by: Government

• Examples- Hitler in Germany, Hussein in Iraq

Anarchy

• Head of State :– No one

• Decision Makers:– People independently

• Source of Power & How it is acquired:– People’s choice

• Length of Rule:– ?, until a government

established

• Political Freedoms determined by:– people

• Examples:– Countries experiencing a

civil war