FORMS OF GOVERNMENT “Man is a political animal.” - Aristotle, Politics

3 Forms? Although many people simply list three types of government:  Monarchy  Dictatorship  Democracy It’s a little more complicated than that...

Where is the Power?

Unitary Centralized Government All power held by one agency Local government granted power by it

Federal Power of Government divided between a central and local governments. Both derive power from a higher authority (ie. A constitution)

Confederate Alliance of Independent States Power limited typically to defense and foreign commerce

Relationship between Legislative and Executive?

Presidential  A chief executive chosen independently of the legislature  Often has “checks” to balance the two

Parliamentary  Chief executive is a member of the legislative branch  Chosen by the legislature and subject to its control.

Who can Participate?

Dictatorship  Those who rule cannot be held responsible to the will of the people.  May have illusion of participation (one party elections)

Democracy  Political authority rests with the people  Can be either Direct or Representative

What form of government is the United States of America?

DEMOCRACY “… government of the people, by the people, for the people.” - President Abraham Lincoln, 1863

Types of Democracy

Direct Democracy  “Pure Democracy”  All or most citizens participate directly  Mass meetings

Representative Democracy  Small group of persons chosen by the people to represent their will  These persons a responsible for the day-to- day conduct of government

Which is the better form?

Our Founding Fathers  Felt that Direct Democracy would lead to bad decisions  Saw Representative Democracy as a way of minimizing the chance of power being abused

Basic Concepts of Democracy

Recognition of the fundamental worth and dignity of every person.  Each persons worth and dignity must be recognized by all individuals and society  Sometimes the welfare of an individual CAN be subordinated to the interests of society

A respect for the equality of all persons.  Equality of opportunity  Equality before the law

A faith in majority rule and an insistence upon minority rights.  The majority may not always be right  The minority has the right to object, etc.

An acceptance of the necessity of compromise.  Find a position acceptable to the largest number of citizens  Many issues are complicated (not black and white)

An insistence upon the widest possible degree of individual freedom.  “The right to swing my fist ends where the other man’s nose begins.” - Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes