TYPES OF GOVERNMENTS

Differing ideas about the purposes of government have profound consequences for the well-being of individuals and society. Oligarchy Democracy Totalitarian Representative democracy Dictatorship Absolute monarch Autocracy Tyrant

Democracy In a democracy, the government is elected by the people. Everyone who is eligible to vote has a chance to have their say over who runs the country. It is distinct from governments controlled by a particular social class or group (aristocracy; oligarchy) or by a single person (despotism; dictatorship; monarchy). A democracy is determined either directly or through indirectly. Can anyone explain what’s the difference between the two?

Autocracy Government by a single person having unlimited power; despotism (domination through threat of punishment and violence).

Oligarchy A government in which a few people such as a dominant clan or clique have power.

Monarchy A monarchy has a king, queen, emperor or empress. The ruling position can be passed on to the ruler’s heirs. In some traditional monarchies, the monarch has absolute power. (Saudi Arabia) But a constitutional monarchy, like the UK, also has a democratic government that limits the monarch's control.

Dictatorship A country ruled by a single leader. The leader has not been elected and may use force to keep control. In a military dictatorship, the army is in control. Currently using a dictatorship: North Korea

Activity You will be put into groups of four. Each group will create a Graphic Organizer and compare and contrast the amount of political power and control possessed by these two governments. Big “G” GovernmentLittle “G” Government

Anarchy Anarchy is a situation where there is no government. This can happen after a civil war in a country, when a government has been destroyed and rival groups are fighting to take its place. Anarchists are people who believe that government is a bad thing in that it stops people organizing their own lives. Afghanistan???

Capitalist In a capitalist or free-market country, people can own their own businesses and property. People can also buy services for private use, such as healthcare. But most capitalist governments also provide their own education, health and welfare services.

Communist In a communist country, the government owns property such as businesses and farms. It provides its people's healthcare, education and welfare. China, Cuba, and North Korea are all communist countries.

Republic A republic is a country that has no monarch. The head of the country is usually an elected president. USA is a republic.

Revolutionary If a government is overthrown by force, the new ruling group is sometimes called a revolutionary government.

Totalitarian This is a country with only one political party. People are forced to do what the government tells them and may also be prevented from leaving the country. North Korea

Theocracy A form of government where the rulers claim to be ruling on behalf of a set of religious ideas, or as direct agents of a deity. Iran is a Theocracy government.

Parliamentary A parliamentary system is led by representatives of the people. Each is chosen as a member of a political party and remains in power as long as his/her party does. Israel is a Parliamentary government.

Activity Watch video on the different types of governments. You will be given a grid to complete on the various types of governments. You will rate the government on a scale from 0-2, 0 meaning that the government does not possess the characteristic, 1 has some aspect of the characteristic, and 2 that they fully possess the characteristic. You will then be given a type of government.

Activity (cont.) Each student will be responsible for the following: Type of Government is clearly defined (5 points) List at least 3 countries who use this type of government from world fact book (if there are not, then list however many there are) (10 points) 3 Relative Facts about the type of government (25 points) Two visuals of the type of government (picture or drawing) that shows the best characteristics of the government. (10 points) List 1 Leader who is in control of the government (5 points) An informative speech on the form of government, and it must be in a persuasive essay format (3 to 5 sentences) (1 minute minimum). (20 points) A “catch phrase” for the government. This will be worth 75 points and will be graded on a rubric.