Autocratic and Democratic Governments Ways Governments Determine Citizen Participation in Government

Autocratic Governments Government in which one person (a dictator) possesses unlimited power and the citizen has little if any role in the government. Citizens can not participate in elections or selecting the ruler Examples: Saudi Arabia, Cuba, North Korea

Democratic Governments Government where the power belongs to the people People exercise this power by voting in free elections and choosing representatives

Characteristics of Democracy Sovereignty of the people (people hold the power) Government based upon consent of the governed (people vote on issues) Majority rule but minority has rights Guarantee of basic human rights Free and fair elections Equality before the law Due process of law Constitutional limits on government

Two Types of Democracy 1. Presidential: A system of government in which the president is independent of the legislature. ** The president is elected by the people of the country and not the legislature

Two Types of Democracy 2. Parliamentary: A system of government where the elected representatives choose the leader of the country instead of the people. The leader (sometimes called the prime minister) answers to the legislature.

Parliamentary System Presidential System Legislature-lawmaking body President-Leader President is elected Legislature and President serve for a fixed amount of time President does not make the laws President is the head of state and chief executive Prime Minster –leader, heads Parliament, the law making body Parliament selects Prime Minister Prime Minister can dissolve Parliament May have a head of state with little power – King or Queen Citizens elect lawmakers Leader heads the military & runs the government