1. 1.3 Political Power

2. 1.2 Political Power Any study of government is fundamentally about political power, who has it, and how they exercise it!

3. Authoritarianism: concentration of power in the hands of one person or an elite group Democracy: means “rule by the people” Dictatorship Oligarchy Monarchy Totalitarianism Direct democracy Representative democracy = Republic Types of Government 1.3 Political Power In-Depth Watch video clip discussing types of government: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdS6fyUIklI

4. Seeks “total” control over its people o The state is supreme over the individual o Closed societies o Poor Economies Militarism / Armed Aggression Heavy use of propaganda Establishment of a “police state” o KGB, GESTAPO, STASI, Etc. o Prisons (Gulags) 1.3 Political Power

6. 1.3 Political Power - Democracy Direct democracy ATHENS (Greek city-state) Representative democracy = Republic Most modern democracies… U.S.

7. Does the U.S. have any instruments of direct democracy? o Referendums o Initiatives (Calif.= propositions) o Recall elections Currently, these exist only on the state level of government Government & Citizenship Timpanogos High School 1.2g Political Power - Democracy

8. Can citizens govern? o Uneducated, uninformed citizens Uneducateduninformed o Plato…………. Philosopher Kings What if the majority is “mean” o Tyranny of the Majority Government & Citizenship Timpanogos High School 1.2h Political Power - Democracy

9. The “Killing Fields”

10. Teams - Discussion Do you believe Democracy is the best form of government? What if a substantial majority of citizens pass a law through a ballot initiative that adversely affects another group of citizens? Should the federal courts be able to overturn a law passed by that same majority?

11. Impromptu Debate Proposition: The United States should adopt a direct democracy on a national scale o For practical purposes, it would be necessary to limit voting to the big issues only: Abortion, Gay Marriage, Gun Control, etc. For or Against the Proposition?

12. Impromptu Debate Proposition No.1 : The federal minimum wage should be increased to $11/hr. Proposition No.2 : In order to vote, each citizen must take an pass a test o Based on the U.S. Citizenship test