1. Georgia Performance Standards SS7CG7
Governments of Asia
Georgia Performance Standards
SS7CG7

2. Bellringer 9/3/10 Which country am I?
Your choices are: India, China, or Japan
I am the world’s largest democracy. My government is most similar to the U.S.
I am a constitutional monarchy with an emperor as head of state.
I have been controlled by the Communist party since 1949.

3. Enduring Understanding
As a society increases in complexity and interacts with other societies, the complexity of the government also increases.

4. SS7CG7 The student will demonstrate an understanding of national governments in Southern and Eastern Asia
a. Compare and contrast the federal republic of The Republic of India, the communist state of The People’s Republic China, and the constitutional monarchy of Japan, distinguishing the form of leadership and the role of the citizen in terms of voting rights and personal freedoms.

5. Japan
The Emperor of Japan (head of state) is merely a “symbol of the state.” True executive power resides with the Prime Minister (head of government), and the Cabinet of Ministers, who are part of the legislative branch of government. There are universal voting rights for all adult citizens.
Note:
Head of state includes the name and title of the leader of the country who represents the state at official and ceremonial functions, but who may not be involved with the day-to-day activities of the government.
Head of government includes the name and title of the top administrative leader who is designated to manage the day-to-day activities of the government.
In the US, the president is both the head of state and the head of government.

6. Japan
Before World War II, Japan was a monarchy ruled by emperor Hirohito. He was very powerful and considered to be descended from the Sun (like a god). After losing the war, the U.S. helped them create a constitution that stated the emperor would no longer be considered a god and gave equal rights to all citizens.
Form of government: Constitutional Monarchy
Japan has 3 branches of government:
-Executive: Prime Minister is the head of government, the Emperor is the ceremonial leader.
-Legislative: called the Diet, is a bicameral parliament that chooses the Prime Minister
-Judicial: Supreme Court

7. Constitutional Monarchy
Form of government
Constitutional Monarchy
(from last year- Canada)
A system of government in which a monarch is guided by a constitution whereby his/her rights, duties, and responsibilities are spelled out in written law or by custom.

8. Japan summarized Form of leadership: Prime Minister
-how chosen: by Cabinet of Ministers (legislature)
Role of the citizen: democracy
-Voting rights: everyone at age 20
-Rights and freedoms of citizens: Freedom of speech, religion, etc. for everyone.
From our notes yesterday-
How is power shared: unitary
Type of democratic government: Parliamentary

9. India
Although India is a republic, individual states are more tightly controlled by the central government than states in the United States. India has a President and a Prime Minister. The President is the head of state while the Prime Minister is the head of government. The President is elected by an electoral college to 5-year term. The Vice-President is elected by both houses of Parliament. The Prime Minister is generally the head of the party that enjoys a majority in the legislative branch. All citizens 18 and over may vote for their legislators.

10. India
Since much of the Indian population lived in rural areas, many local governments are village councils called panchayats.
India is the world’s largest democracy
India gained independence from Britain in 1947, government modeled after Britain’s.
India has 3 branches like U.S. with a bicameral legislative branch and a Supreme Court (chief justice and 25 other judges) The prime minister appoints the judges.
India’s constitution guarantees everyone equal rights, even women and the dalits (untouchables)
India’s government is secular, but most people are Hindu.

11. (From last year- Brazil, Mexico)
Government Type
Federal Republic
(From last year- Brazil, Mexico)
A state in which the powers of the central government are restricted and in which the component parts (states, colonies, or provinces) retain a degree of self-government; ultimate sovereign power rests with the voters who chose their governmental representatives.

12. India Summarized Form of leadership: Prime Minister
-how chosen: by the Parliament (legislature).
Role of the citizen: democracy
-Voting rights: everyone at age 18
-Rights and freedoms of citizens: Freedom of speech, religion, etc. for everyone.
From our notes yesterday-
How is power shared: federal
Type of democratic government: Parliamentary

13. China
Although China is called a republic, true power lies with the ruling Communist Party. China has a President and a Premier. The President is the head of state while the Premier is the head of government. The President and Vice-President are elected by the National People’s Congress. The Premier is the head of the ruling party, the Chinese Communist Party. While there are elections for the National People’s Congress, there is truly only one political party, the Chinese Communist Party. The State Council, which functions as a cabinet, is appointed by the National People’s Congress.

14. China Form of government: Communist (1949)
3 branches of government with a unicamerial legislature (National People’s Congress) and a Supreme People’s Court
Taiwan and Hong Kong
-Both are part of China, but each has a separate non-Communist government.
-In 1997, HK came back under Chinese rule from British control for 150 years.

15. Government Type Communist China
A system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single - often authoritarian - party holds power; state controls are imposed with the elimination of private ownership of property or capital while claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people (i.e., a classless society).

16. China summarized Form of leadership: Premier
-how chosen: by the Communist Party
Role of the citizen: oligarchy
-Voting rights: everyone at age 18, but can only vote for certain positions. Not everyone can run for office, only a select group (oligarchy)
-Rights and freedoms of citizens: Rights and freedoms of citizens are often violated by the government-no guaranteed freedom of speech, religion, etc.
From our notes yesterday-
How is power shared: unitary
Type of democratic government: n/a

17. Assignment
On the back of the notes, draw a Venn diagram: one circle for each country-China, India, Japan.
Using your notes, fill in the circles appropriately.