1. Autocratic and Democratic Governments
Ways Governments Determine Citizen Participation in Government

2. Autocratic Governments
Government in which one person (a dictator) possesses unlimited power and the citizen has little if any role in the government.
Citizens can not participate in elections or selecting the ruler
Examples: Saudi Arabia, Cuba, North Korea

3. Democratic Governments
Government where the power belongs to the people
People exercise this power by voting in free elections and choosing representatives

4. Characteristics of Democracy
Sovereignty of the people (people hold the power)
Government based upon consent of the governed (people vote on issues)
Majority rule but minority has rights
Guarantee of basic human rights
Free and fair elections
Equality before the law
Due process of law
Constitutional limits on government

5. Two Types of Democracy
1. Presidential: A system of government in which the president is independent of the legislature.
** The president is elected by the people of the country and not the legislature

6. Two Types of Democracy
2. Parliamentary: A system of government where the elected representatives choose the leader of the country instead of the people.
The leader (sometimes called the prime minister) answers to the legislature.

7. Parliamentary System Presidential System Legislature-lawmaking body
President-Leader
President is elected
Legislature and President serve for a fixed amount of time
President does not make the laws
President is the head of state and chief executive
Prime Minster –leader, heads Parliament, the law making body
Parliament selects Prime Minister
Prime Minister can dissolve Parliament
May have a head of state with little power – King or Queen
Citizens elect lawmakers
Leader heads the military & runs the government