1. Comparing Forms of Government
Chapter 2
Essential Question: What ideas gave birth to the world’s first modern democratic nation?

2. Theories on Origins of Government
Evolution theory – think family, clan, tribes, many tribes
Force theory—strong conquer weak (think Genghis Kahn)
Divine right theory—God chose the ruler (think Louis XIV)
Social contract theory—agreement between people and government (think Hobbes’ Leviathan)

3. Origins Mesopotamia had city-states City-states began to be unified
Ancient Greeks started democracy
This was a direct democracy—all citizens vote on laws/policy
Later, it became a republic—citizens elect representatives to vote on laws/policy for them

4. Timeline – put in order from section 2
First city-states arise in Sumer
Sargon of Akkad formed empire
Roman Republic formed
Athens formed direct democracy
Roman Empire formed
Feudalism began in Europe
Rise of absolute monarchs
Glorious Revolution in England
American Revolution
French Revolution
Rise of totalitarian dictatorships
Put in chronological order.
Write a one-sentence explanation of the main feature of the government associated with each event.
For example: First city-states arise in Sumer: The government settles disputes and coordinates the harvesting and trading of crops.

5. Government Types Today
Monarchy = rule by one person, hereditary (Ex: Saudi Arabia)
Dictatorship = military rule by force (Ex: Nazis, North Korea)
Theocracy = rule by a few religious leaders (Ex: Vatican City; this is also the goal of ISIS)
Single-Party state = a few people rule (Ex: Vietnam)
Direct Democracy = all citizens vote on laws (ex: Switzerland)
Parliamentary democracy = the king shares power with elected representatives in the Parliament (Ex: Britain)
Constitutional or Presidential democracy = republic based on a written Constitution (think USA)

6. Sections 3 to 5
Create a table like the one below. As you read each section, complete the table for the following terms:
Section 3: monarchy, dictatorship, theocracy, single-party state, direct democracy, parliamentary democracy, presidential democracy
Section 4: unitary system, federal system, confederal system
Section 5: traditional economy, market economy, command economy