Warm Up What type of government do we have in America? Who do you think was the worst leader in history? Why? Do you think the people being ruled should have a “say” in their government? Why or why not?

Objectives SWBAT identify various forms of government SWBAT explain characteristics of the American form of government

Government Systems

--What do you think is going on in this picture --What do you think is going on in this picture? -- What type of government do you think it might represent?

DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS Democracy: rule by the people Direct Democracy: all citizens meet in one place and make decisions/laws. Representative Democracy: citizens elect representatives to make decisions for them. NOTE: In America we have a Democratic Republic or a Representative Democracy. Country examples: Japan Canada United States Australia Finland

Types of Monarchy Monarchy: Rule by a king or a queen In England you have a queen who is the ceremonial leader, but she does not have much decision-making power. The Parliament has the decision-making power. Parliament is what they call Congress in England. People are elected to serve in the Parliament. The Parliament picks the Prime Minister which is the head of the country. Minister which is the head of the country.

NON DEMOCRATIC SYSTEMS Autocracy: One ruler, ALL power. Dictatorship: ONE Ruler or “dictator,” has complete power over the government (ex: Hitler) Totalitarianism: Ruler has total control over the lives of people. Censors what people see, say and do. Controls public and private lives of people (ex: North Korea).

Communism: a form of government in which the country operates under a one-party system and embraces, in some way, the ideas of Karl Marx or Vladimir Lenin (ex. China)

Oligarchy: Rule by a few Aristocracy: Rule by the wealthy classes Theocracy: gov’t is controlled by religious leaders who claim to rule on behalf of God or the gods. Oligarchy: Rule by a few Aristocracy: Rule by the wealthy classes Iran is considered a theocratic republic. According to Iran's constitution, "all civil, penal, financial, economic, administrative, cultural, military, political, and other laws and regulations must be based on Islamic criteria."

Practice Which term best describes a government in which citizens elect representatives to act for them? Limited monarchy Democratic republic Autocracy oligarchy

Practice How is direct democracy similar to representative democracy? Both assume a large population. Both assume a diverse population. Both attempt to establish the will of the people. Both attempt to establish the will of societal leaders.

Which government is it?? Complete the table for each scenario. Scenario 1: Melissa turned 18 and is going to city hall to vote in the presidential election for the first time. She will vote for candidates running for President, NC Governor and NC Senator. Type of Government Who/what controls decision making? Explain why

Which government is it?? Complete the table for each scenario. Scenario 2: King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia makes all the decisions for his country. He does not consult advisors and he never holds elections. Type of Government Who/what controls decision making? Explain why

Which government is it?? Complete the table for each scenario. Scenario 3: The citizens of Hampton, New Hampshire hold 4 annual town meetings where they discuss town policies and make decisions regarding laws and the town budget. Type of Government Who/what controls decision making? Explain why

Which government is it?? Complete the table for each scenario. Scenario 4: The government in Iran enforces religious laws contained in the ancient Islamic text, the Koran. The political leaders are also highest religious leaders, who claim they are chosen by God. Type of Government Who/what controls decision making? Explain why

Which government is it?? Complete the table for each scenario. Scenario 5: In the ancient Greek city of Sparta a small group of elders made all the decisions. They even would decide which babies were strong enough to live in Sparta and which babies should be disposed. Type of Government Who/what controls decision making? Explain why

Which government is it?? Complete the table for each scenario. Scenario 6: Adolph Hitler ruled over Nazi Germany with an “iron fist.” He controlled all the media and used his military and secret police (the SS) to exterminate any opponents. Type of Government Who/what controls decision making? Explain why

Which government is it?? Complete the table for each scenario. Scenario 7: When Lenin came to power in Russia he tried to split all the property equally between the people by giving the government control over all property. He believed there should not be social classes and everyone should be equal. Type of Government Who/what controls decision making? Explain why

Exit Ticket If you were creating a new society, which type of government would you choose and why?