1. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT “Man is a political animal.” - Aristotle, Politics

2. 3 Forms? Although many people simply list three types of government:  Monarchy  Dictatorship  Democracy It’s a little more complicated than that...

3. Where is the Power?

4. Unitary Centralized Government All power held by one agency Local government granted power by it

5. Federal Power of Government divided between a central and local governments. Both derive power from a higher authority (ie. A constitution)

6. Confederate Alliance of Independent States Power limited typically to defense and foreign commerce

7. Relationship between Legislative and Executive?

8. Presidential  A chief executive chosen independently of the legislature  Often has “checks” to balance the two

9. Parliamentary  Chief executive is a member of the legislative branch  Chosen by the legislature and subject to its control.

10. Who can Participate?

11. Dictatorship  Those who rule cannot be held responsible to the will of the people.  May have illusion of participation (one party elections)

12. Democracy  Political authority rests with the people  Can be either Direct or Representative

13. What form of government is the United States of America?

14. DEMOCRACY “… government of the people, by the people, for the people.” - President Abraham Lincoln, 1863

15. Types of Democracy

16. Direct Democracy  “Pure Democracy”  All or most citizens participate directly  Mass meetings

17. Representative Democracy  Small group of persons chosen by the people to represent their will  These persons a responsible for the day-to- day conduct of government

18. Which is the better form?

19. Our Founding Fathers  Felt that Direct Democracy would lead to bad decisions  Saw Representative Democracy as a way of minimizing the chance of power being abused

20. Basic Concepts of Democracy

21. Recognition of the fundamental worth and dignity of every person.  Each persons worth and dignity must be recognized by all individuals and society  Sometimes the welfare of an individual CAN be subordinated to the interests of society

22. A respect for the equality of all persons.  Equality of opportunity  Equality before the law

23. A faith in majority rule and an insistence upon minority rights.  The majority may not always be right  The minority has the right to object, etc.

24. An acceptance of the necessity of compromise.  Find a position acceptable to the largest number of citizens  Many issues are complicated (not black and white)

25. An insistence upon the widest possible degree of individual freedom.  “The right to swing my fist ends where the other man’s nose begins.” - Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes