Government

What is Government? System by which a state, country or territory is ruled.

What are the different forms of Government? Democracy Absolute Monarchy Constitutional Monarchy Dictatorship Communism Theocracy Oligarchy

Democracy A government ruled by the people Two Types – Direct – People vote directly for laws and leaders – Representative (republic)– People vote for representatives who then vote for the laws Draw a picture representing Democracy

Democracy History/Origin – 6 th Century BC in Ancient Greece – “Demos” = people – “Kratein” = to rule Current Democracies – United States – Germany – Brazil – Ethiopia – Austria Locate the above countries using an atlas, label, and color blue

Absolute Monarchy Ruled by a Monarch (King, Queen, Emperor, Empress) with unlimited power. Power is passed down to the next generation Create an image representing Absolute Monarchy

Absolute Monarchy History/Origin – Increased popularity in Europe in the 1600 & 1700s – Famous Monarchs King Louis XVI of France Emperor Meiji of Japan Queen Elizabeth I of England Current Absolute Monarchies – Saudi Arabia – Qatar – Swaziland – Oman Locate the above countries using an atlas, label, and color Purple

Constitutional Monarchy Ruled by a Monarch but their powers are limited by a constitution (laws) or they simply fulfill a ceremonial role without power The Monarch is below the law. The title is still passed down to the next generation Create an image representing Constitutional Monarchy

Constitutional Monarchy History/Origin – The Glorious Revolution pushed Great Britain’s transition to a Constitutional Monarchy in the late 17 th Century Current Constitutional Monarchies – Belgium – Denmark – Jordan – Morocco – Norway – Lesotho Locate the above countries using an atlas, label, and color Orange

Dictatorship A government ruled by one person (dictator) who has all the power They are above the law Create an image representing Dictatorship

Dictatorship History/Origin – Dictators were originally used in Ancient Rome to temporarily control a rebellion or chaotic society – Once under control the dictator would step down Current Dictatorships – North Korea – Sudan – Zimbabwe – Belarus – Syria Locate the above countries using an atlas, label, and color Green

Communism Managed by a single party that controls the economy No private ownership of property In a perfect communist society all goods are equally shared Create an image representing Communism

Communism History/Origins – The idea of Communism was written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in “The Communist Manifesto“ in 1848 Current Communist Countries – China – North Korea – Cuba – Laos – Vietnam Locate the above countries using an atlas, label, and color Red

Theocracy A deity (god) is viewed as the ultimate ruler The law is usually taken from a religious book such as the Bible, Torah, or Qu’ran The leader is usually a religious leader Create an image representing Theocracy

Theocracy History/Origins – Ancient Egypt was ruled by a Theocracy – Pharaohs were often seen as being gods Current Theocracies – Iran – Vatican City Locate the above countries using an atlas, label, and color Yellow

Oligarchy Ruled by a small group (wealthy, royal, family, military or race) History/Origin – Many city-states in Ancient Greece were Oligarchies – Sparta was an Oligarchy Current Oligarchy – South Africa until 1994