2013

Political System Government Community

Explain global political systems; strengths and weaknesses. AutocracyOligarchy Democracy

What is the difference between a state and nation-state? A “state” is a community with government and political system, but is not sovereign. A sovereign body controls its borders and all people inside them. Afghanistan, today, is a state. A “nation-state” means the same as a country. Brazil is a nation-state today. It has a government andpolitical system while controlling its borders and all the people inside them.

Global Political Systems. AutocraticOligarchy Democracy Rule by one Rule by small group Rule by citizens

A political system controlled by one person is an autocracy; Examples include a dictatorship or a monarchy.

Monarchy Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah became King in August, He chooses the members of the legislature and the country’s judges.

Dictatorship Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe uses force to prevent anyone else from gaining political power. He refused to allow open elections for President in 2011.

A dictatorship without a dictator? Syrian President Assad was elected in 1990, succeeding his father into power. It is not clear who controls Syria: he or his father’s friends in the Ba’th party. Assad clearly uses military power to remain in power during Syria’s civil war.

AdvantagesDisadvantages Very effective during wartime or emergency- decisions made quickly and decisively. Decisions are made at the top level of government and communicated down to the people. Governed have little or no consent in selection. Governed have little or no input towards new policies of nation-state.

A political system controlled by a few persons (2-15) is a called an oligarchy.

Three types of oligarchies are: theocracies; aristocracies; and political party elites.

Theocracy The Vatican City, Rome, is a theocracy. Pope Benedict was selected by the Roman Catholic College of Cardinals.

Theocracy The Dali Llama is the spiritual leader of the state of Tibet. He was chosen by a small group of Buddhist leaders. Today Tibet is occupied by Peoples’ Republic of China today.

Theocracy Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei was chosen by Muslim leaders as Iran’s Supreme Leader. Some portions of the Koran are law in Iran.

Aristocracies Portrait of Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo II de Medici ( ). His family, and others, made money through banking and then controlled the government in Florence, Italy for decades. These families were highly educated.

Political Party Elite Peoples’ Republic of China is a political party elite today. Xi Jinping, will be the next President of the PRC. He is the fourth man from the left. The PRC’s Communist Party is the only party permitted to run candidates for election. These men control the entire party.

Incoming President Xi Jinping (left) outgoing President Hu Jintao

AdvantagesDisadvantages Effective for members of small group to concentrate political power over others. Decision making by small group, government leaders or not, communicated down to governed. Governed have little or no consent in selection. Governed have little or no input towards new policies of nation-state.

The United States has a democratic political system. Citizens rule!

Democracy Two types exist: direct and a republic. In a direct democracy, citizens make political decisions themselves. In a republic, representatives choose for the citizens.

Direct: people decide themselves. 1. Referendum. 2. Initiative or Propositions. In November, 2012 citizens in the States of Washington and Colorado voted on ballot questions. Voters in both states chose voted to legalize marijuana for recreational use.

Republic: citizens choose representatives to decide. Pennsylvania’s US Senator Pat Toomey represents the citizens of Pennsylvania in Washington, DC. He makes political decisions for us.

AdvantagesDisadvantages Policy making process includes many inputs from governed. Selection process for government officials includes many inputs from governed. Time consuming process to make new public policies and choose new government officials. Policy making and selection process are confrontational and time consuming. Government must balance common good with individual liberties.