Comparing Forms of Government Chapter 2 Notes

What has been the evolution of government? Prehistoric Prehistoric Few elders as leaders Few elders as leaders Simple to rule a small group of hunters and gatherers Simple to rule a small group of hunters and gatherers

What has been the evolution of government? As society evolves… Farming= permanent settlements New problems and conflicts

The Ancient City-state Sovereign state consisting of a city and the surrounding area Sovereign state consisting of a city and the surrounding area 3000 B.C. – Tigris and Euphrates river valley - desert 3000 B.C. – Tigris and Euphrates river valley - desert Sumerians Sumerians Rule over water distribution Rule over water distribution Battles vs other city states Battles vs other city states The 1 st empires The 1 st empires Kings Kings

The Greeks and Romans Athens transforms into the city-state into a direct democracy Athens transforms into the city-state into a direct democracy People directly make decisions People directly make decisions The Roman Republic The Roman Republic Representative (indirect) democracy Representative (indirect) democracy

The Middle Ages Rome falls Small parcels of land across Europe ruled by lords. Use of feudalism to manage the parcels Use of land in exchange for military and/or other services

L’etat c’est moi 1200’s 1200’s Feudal system declines Feudal system declines Absolute monarchs take their place Absolute monarchs take their place Hereditary rulers who claimed unlimited power Hereditary rulers who claimed unlimited power Divine Right Theory Divine Right Theory King Louis XIV of France King Louis XIV of France

Is the power of a monarch limited? Revolutions have proven that the power is limited Revolutions have proven that the power is limited Constitutional monarchy Constitutional monarchy Power limited by an outline of power Power limited by an outline of power Constitutional democracy Constitutional democracy Democratic government based on a written document Democratic government based on a written document UNTESTED!!!!!!!!!!!! America will try it UNTESTED!!!!!!!!!!!! America will try it Authoritarian regime Authoritarian regime State control over the lives of the citizens State control over the lives of the citizens

Totalitarianism Total control over the lives’ of the citizens Total control over the lives’ of the citizens Has taken on three forms: Has taken on three forms:

20 th Century Examples

Communism An economic system An economic system State should control the economy State should control the economy Single political party controls Single political party controls Based on Karl Marx’s theory Based on Karl Marx’s theory Equality and security for all Equality and security for all Government ownership of land, factories, and resources Government ownership of land, factories, and resources

Fascism Extreme nationalism Extreme nationalism All serve the state All serve the state Military is glorified Military is glorified Dictator holds supreme power Dictator holds supreme power A bundle of sticks bundled together cannot be broken A bundle of sticks bundled together cannot be broken

Nazism Nazi Party hold supreme power Racial superiority Expansion Rejects democracy and civil liberties