1. 2014

2. There are three types of global political systems: AutocracyOligarchy Democracy

3. They differ based upon the number of people who control them. AutocraticOligarchy Democracy Rule by one Rule by small group Rule by citizens

4. What makes up a country’s political system? Public Elections Agencies; Political parties; Interest groups.

5. What makes up a country’s political system? Media. Individuals. Money.

6. A political system controlled by one person is an autocracy. Examples include a dictatorship or a monarchy.

7. Monarchy Saudi Arabia’s King Abdallah became King in August, 2005. He chose the members of the legislature and the country’s judges.

8. Dictatorship Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is a dictator. He refused to allow open elections for President in 2011. Elections were held in 2013. He won. Observers claim the election was not valid.

9. AdvantagesDisadvantages Very effective during wartime or emergency- decisions made quickly and decisively. Elections controlled by autocrat. Parties at discretion of autocrat. Only interest groups favored by autocrat. State media promotes autocrat. Individuals have little political power. Money.

10. A political system controlled by a few persons (2-15) is a called an oligarchy.

11. Three types of oligarchies are: theocracies; aristocracies; and political party elites.

12. Theocracy The Vatican City, Rome, is a theocracy. Pope Francis was selected by over 100 Roman Catholic Cardinals.

13. Theocracy The Dali Llama is the spiritual leader of the state of Tibet. He was chosen by a small group of Buddhist leaders. He lives in exile in India. Tibet is occupied by Peoples’ Republic of China today.

14. Theocracy Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei (right) was chosen by Muslim leaders as Iran’s Supreme Leader. Iran’s President is Hasan Ruhani. He was elected by the people in 2013.

15. Iranian President Ruhani President Ruhani has opened Iranian nuclear sites to inspection by the United Nations. Many nations believe Iran may be trying to develop nuclear weapons.

16. Aristocracies Portrait of Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo II de Medici ( 1590 1621). His family, and others, made money through banking and then controlled the government in Florence, Italy for decades. These families were highly educated.

17. Political Party Elite Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC) is a political party elite today. Xi Jinping, is the President of the PRC. He is the man in the middle. The PRC’s Communist Party is the only party permitted to run candidates for election. These men control the Communist Party.

18. President Xi Jinping (left) and Premier Ll Keqiang

19. AdvantagesDisadvantages Effective for members of small group to concentrate political power over others. Regular elections in many countries. Some political parties. Some interest groups. Some media outlets. Individuals little, in any, power.

20. The United States has a democratic political system. Citizens rule!

21. Democracy Two types exist: direct and a republic. In a direct democracy, citizens make political decisions themselves. In a republic, citizens choose representatives to make the political decisions.

22. Direct: people decide themselves. 1. Referendum. 2. Initiative or Propositions. In November, 2012 citizens in the States of Washington and Colorado voted on ballot questions. Voters in both states chose to legalize marijuana for recreational use. Legislators did not make these decisions.

23. Republic: citizens choose representatives to decide. Pennsylvania’s US Senator Pat Toomey represents the citizens of Pennsylvania in Washington, DC. He makes political decisions for us.

24. AdvantagesDisadvantages Regular elections. Many political parties. Many interest groups. Many media outlets. Individuals have many ways to influence institutions of government. Time consuming process to make new public policies and choose new government officials. Government must balance common good with individual liberties.