Governments

Political Geography & Governments

What is Political Geography?  The study of governmental systems from around the world

What is Government?  An organization that people set up to protect their community and to enforce its rules  Roles of the government:  To protect lives  To protect liberties  To protect property of members of the community  To provide services that the people cannot provide on their own

What are the different types of governmental systems?

Monarchy  Ruled by a family headed by a King or Queen  The ruler inherits their power - when the ruler dies, power is passed to one of the monarch’s children or close relative  These monarchs (kings, sultans, emperors) surround themselves with followers and advisors who help them govern  Pros – Stability  Cons – Limits on Power

Constitutional Monarchy  Monarchs share power with an elected legislature  Parliament  Usually the monarch serves as the symbolic head of state while elected members of Parliament govern the country ▪Example: United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Jordan

Qaboos Bin Said Al Said – Sultan of Oman Mswati III of Swaziland, Africa’s last absolute monarch in the world. Imperial household of Japan (ko shitsu) oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world. Akihito. Sheikh Sabah Al ‑ Ahmad Al ‑ Jaber Al ‑ Sabah. Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy Cambodia ‑ Sihamoni Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy Queen Elizabeth - United Kingdom- constitutional monarchy

Republic  A republic is a government without a king or a queen. Usually when a country overturns its monarchy it will become a republic. Republics can be democratic, theocratic, or parliamentary. An example would be the United States, which is a Democratic Republic

Branches of United States Government

Democracy  Government authority is based on the will of the people. People either vote on issues directly, or they elect representatives who make government decisions for them. People have certain rights – whereas they can criticize the government freely.  There are two types that we see:  Direct Democracy  Representative Democracy

Direct Democracy  The very first known democracy was in ancient Greece in the 5 th c BCE. Democracy is Greek for “people-power.” Citizens assembled to make decisions for their city-states. They voted on these issues directly. This is where the term direct-democracy evolved from.

Representative Democracy  It is a democracy where different social groups elected their own representatives, who then met in assemblies. Nobles were represented in the Senate Government power was divided between two branches and voting was on various issues. Romans were the first to develop the representative democracy.

14  Direct Democracy - in which citizens have direct and active participation in the decision making of the government.  Representative Democracy - citizens remain the sovereign power but political power is exercised indirectly through elected representatives.

Dictatorship  One individual holds complete political power  The leader either seizes control by force or is placed into a position of authority by others  the citizens have no influence over governmental policy and do not have the right to choose their own leaders  Pros – easy, quick to makes big changes  Cons – corruption, dissent is not allowed

 What do you think the colors of the map tell us about government(s) around the world? What do you think each color represents?

 Countries marked in dark colors are authoritarian, and most often dictatorships. Most of current dictatorships are in Africa and Asia.

Communism The state plans and controls the economy and a single - often authoritarian - party holds power the elimination of private ownership of property or capital  Example: Cuba, People’s Republic of China, North Korea Pros – Classless Society Cons – lack of Freedom

Theocracy Government run by religious leaders. It is an old form of government, like a monarchy.  Government claims to be directed by God or divinely blessed.  No legal separation between church and state  Citizens of other faiths are often excluded or expelled.  Ancient times rulers were often priests.

Pharaohs of ancient Egypt were believed to be gods. Examples of Theocracy throughout history. The Byzantine Empire was ruled by an emperor who was also head of the church. In the Middle Ages, the head of the Catholic Church, the Pope, ruled extensive territories in Italy. In early colonial times, Puritan ministers helped govern Massachusetts. Iran, has both a theocratic and democratic government. The President and representatives are elected but are controlled by the Supreme Leader. The Supreme Leader is an Islamic cleric appointed for life.

“Anarchy” or “Failed State” Nobody in charge, only gangs and warlords. Fueled by drugs or desire to control resources. Happens when a country collapses. Example: Somalia, parts of West Africa

Video: Write down 5 NEW things you learn or find interesting as we celebrate our rights and freedom using the following: The United States Bill of Rights 1Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. 2Right to keep and bear arms in order to maintain a well regulated militia. 3No quartering of soldiers. 4Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. 5Right to due process of law, freedom from self-incrimination, double jeopardy. 6Rights of accused persons, e.g., right to a speedy and public trial. 7Right of trial by jury in civil cases. 8Freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishments. 9Other rights of the people. 10Powers reserved to the states.