FORMS OF GOVERNMENT AND BASIC CONCEPTS OF DEMOCRACY Chapter 1 Section 2 and 3

CLASSIFYING GOVERNMENTS Governments can be classified by: Governments can be classified by: Who can participate in the governing process Who can participate in the governing process The geographic distribution of power within the state The geographic distribution of power within the state The relationship between the legislative and the executive branches The relationship between the legislative and the executive branches

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE ~DEMOCRACY~ In a Democracy, supreme political authority rests with the people In a Democracy, supreme political authority rests with the people A democracy can be direct or indirect A democracy can be direct or indirect Direct democracy does NOT exist on the national level anywhere in the world today! Direct democracy does NOT exist on the national level anywhere in the world today! Americans are more familiar with the indirect form of democracy. (representative democracy) Americans are more familiar with the indirect form of democracy. (representative democracy) In a democracy, the people are IN CHARGE! In a democracy, the people are IN CHARGE!

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE ~DICTATORSHIP~ Dictatorships = autocracies or oligarchies Autocracy Government in which a single person holds unlimited political power Oligarchy A government in which the power to rule is held by a small, usually self appointed elite All dictatorships are authoritarian (those in power hold absolute and unchallengeable authority over all) Modern dictatorships tend to be totalitarian (Complete power over nearly every aspect of human affairs) Four examples of dictatorships are: Fascist Italy ( ) Nazi Germany ( ) Soviet Union ( s) People’s Republic of China (1949- present)

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF POWER centralized all powers belong to central agency all powers held centrally (not dispursed to localities) not the same as dictatorship!!!!! Great Britain Unitary Government Powers are divided between central and local goverments both sets of governments work directly on the people through their own sets of laws, officials, and agencies the US, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany, India Federal Government an alliance of independent States the confederate government only handles those matters that member states assign to it they do not have power to make laws that directly affect people. European Union is the best example to date. Confederate Government

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE BRANCHES Presidential Government Executive and legislative branches are separate and coequal Both branches can block actions by the other The United States invented this form (most other presidential systems are found in the western hemisphere ) Parliamentary Government Executive is a prime minister and the official’s cabinet (they are part of the legislative branch) The executive is chosen by the legislature and is subject to its direct control Legislative can give a vote of no confidence and require the resignation of the prime minister and cabinet Great Britain, Canada, Japan

BASIC CONCEPTS OF DEMOCRACY Foundations Of Democracy Foundations Of Democracy Worth of the individual Worth of the individual A recognition of the fundamental worth and dignity of every person A recognition of the fundamental worth and dignity of every person Equality of all persons Equality of all persons A respect for the equality of all persons A respect for the equality of all persons Majority rule, Minority rights Majority rule, Minority rights A faith in majority rule and an insistence upon minority rights A faith in majority rule and an insistence upon minority rights Necessity of Compromise Necessity of Compromise Find the position of most acceptance Find the position of most acceptance Individual Freedom Individual Freedom An insistence upon the widest possible degree of individual freedom An insistence upon the widest possible degree of individual freedom

DEMOCRACY AND THE FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM Free enterprise system Free enterprise system Economic system characterized by the private ownership of: Economic system characterized by the private ownership of: capital goods capital goods investments made by private decision, not by government directive investments made by private decision, not by government directive Success or failure determined by completion in the market. Success or failure determined by completion in the market. Law of supply and demand Law of supply and demand When supplies of goods and services become plentiful, prices drop. When supplies of goods and services become plentiful, prices drop. When supplies of goods and services are scarce, prices rise. When supplies of goods and services are scarce, prices rise. Mixed economy Mixed economy Private industry in combination with a considerable amount of government regulation Private industry in combination with a considerable amount of government regulation

EXAMPLES OF GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION IN THE ECONOMY Government ParticipationLevel of Government Anti-trust lawsFederal Pure food and drug lawsFederal Zoning ordinancesState and local Public educationState City transportationLocal