1. Political Systems Countries can have a variety of political systems.
They include:
Direct Democracy
Representative Government
Monarchy
Dictatorship

2. Jordan’s King Abdullah
Monarchy
Ruler inherits the throne by birth.
Citizens do not have a right to decide laws.
Fewer monarchies in the last 100 years. Jordan, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia are examples.
Others, such as United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, and Japan, are now democracies with monarch as ceremonial leader.
Jordan’s King Abdullah

3. Iraq’s Former Dictator Saddam Hussein
Dictatorship
One person or one party holds total power to govern.
Citizens have few rights and don’t make decisions.
Dictators sometimes call themselves “president” and hold elections, but it is just for show because no one else is allowed to run.
Examples: Cuba, North Korea, Libya, Egypt, China
Iraq’s Former Dictator Saddam Hussein

4. How do dictators keep power?
Dictators can use their armies to arrest or attack protesters.
Dictators often promise a better life, especially for the poor.
Many countries have never had democracy, so they are used to having dictators.
Some dictators get support from other countries, such as Soviet Union’s support for Fidel Castro in Cuba.
Fidel Castro of Cuba

5. Theocracy God is supreme ruler Official divinely guided
Laws = divine relevlation

6. Oligarchy Power rests with a small group of people Wealth Military
Family
Race
Apartheid, South Africa – small group of whites controlled all South Africans

7. Direct Democracy Sometimes called “pure democracy”
People gathered to vote on laws in ancient Athens and Rome.
Very difficult to do in large numbers. People may not know much about the issues they vote on.
States and towns in the U.S. use ballot questions to get the public’s vote on important issues.

8. Representative Government
Presidential:
Often called a “republic.”
The people elect representatives to make the laws.
Three branches of government have equal power
Examples are U.S, Mexico,
U.S. House of Representatives

9. Representative Government
Parliamentary
Monarch is figurehead, parliament rules
Vote for party, not person
Prime minister is head of majority party
Example: England
England’s Parliament

10. Putting Politics & Economics Together
Communist countries have been dictatorships in which leaders have tried to control all aspects of the country.
But not all dictators are Communists. Some want capitalist companies to come in and create jobs Ex. Batista in Cuba before Castro.
Democracies are sometimes capitalist and sometimes socialist. Voters may elect a leader who promises to help the poor through socialism. Or voters may prefer capitalism as a way to create more jobs.