Government B – Types of Government

Why have government? Reason 1 - Order & Security Government is the “necessary evil” since it ensures order and security. According to Thomas Hobbes ( ), (Leviathan) An all-powerful government, however encompassing or intrusive on liberty, was but a small price to pay for living in a civilized society. This is because Humans are selfish Without government, human society would be in a state of nature Giving up certain rights to government is worthwhile since the society receives the benefit of security. Government has to limit freedom to protect life and property

Why have government? Reason 2 - Liberty The greatest freedom of individuals that is consistent with the freedom of other individuals in the society; can be promoted by or invoked against government. Reason 3 - Authority & Legitimacy authority: the right and power of a government or other entity to enforce its decisions and compel obedience. legitimacy is popular acceptance of the right and power of a government or other entity to exercise authority.

Monarchy (autocracy) Single ruler like that of the English monarch A strong single ruler called King Oligarchy/aristocracy (rule by the few) Right to participate based on Wealth & property Social status Military ranks 2 Older forms of Government

Democracy- 2 Types 1. Representative Democracy Principles of a democratic republic with 3 branches of government – Legislative, Executive, Judicial Popular consent Universal suffrage Majority rule 2. Constitutional Monarchy Has a monarch (king or queen) but also has 2 branches of government – the Legislative and Judicial. The executive, or Prime Minister is in the legislative branch.

Government should be based on Human reason Science Religious toleration Individuals’ destiny is not controlled by fate People can change their life King’s divine right to rule is questionable Roots of American Politics…The Enlightenment

Kings do not have divine right to rule Popular consent is the only basis of sovereign’s right to rule Government responsibility Preservation of life, liberty & private property Upholding justice Men are born equal & with natural rights No king had the power to void Democratic & Enlightenment Thinker: John Locke

1651, Leviathan Humans are selfish Human society in a state of nature Law necessary for maintaining order and safety Government is absolutely necessary Giving up certain rights to government necessary for a life of safety & tranquility Government has to intrude on rights & liberties to protect life and property Best form of government: autocracy, single ruler Democratic and Enlightenment Thinker: Thomas Hobbes

How people participate in Democracy Initiative–a procedure by which voters can propose a law or a constitutional amendment Referendum–an electoral device whereby legislative or constitutional measures are referred by the legislature to the voters for approval or disapproval Recall–a procedure allowing the people to vote to dismiss an elected official from state office before his or her term has expired

Totalitarian/Authoritarian Government Totalitarian Regime—government controls all aspects of the political and social life of a nation Right-wing totalitarian regimes NAZI Germany (1933 – 1945) Fascist Italy (1920s-1945) Left-wing totalitarian regimes Stalin’s Soviet Union Mao Tsetung’s “People’s Republic of China” ( ) North Korea (since 1948) Authoritarian—A type of regime in which only the government itself is fully controlled by the ruler. Social and economic institutions exist that are not under the government’s control.

Communism A revolutionary variant growing out of socialism Standing for one-Party dictatorship Examples – Cuba, China, Vietnam Standing for complete state control of: Economy Resource allocation Production plan distribution Consumption

Fascism Examples – WW2 Italy and Germany A right-wing 20th century ideology standing for a dominant leader and a totalitarian party Rejecting liberal individualism Advocating swift decisions by the absolute leader rather than extensive parliamentary debate

Theocratic Government Based on traditional Islamic law beliefs: Islam is not simply a religion, but a political system Islamic law must be the basis of all secular statutory laws of society Muslims must return to the original teachings and early models of Islam Western political, military, cultural presence in the Muslim world is un-Islamic Example - Iran