1. Bellringer
Copy the prompt (the part in italics) onto your own paper. Then answer the question. Your answer should be at least seven sentences long, with details.
Why do we have governments? What would life be like if no government existed?
SS7CG1 The student will compare and contrast various forms of government. a. Describe the ways government systems distribute power: unitary, confederation, and federal. b. Explain how governments determine citizen participation: autocratic, oligarchic, and democratic. c. Describe the two predominant forms of democratic governments: parliamentary and presidential.

2. Notes on Government
Government: the organization that acts as the authority of a group or area.
There are many different types of governments. In general, governments can be classified in three ways:
Economy (How is the economy run?)
Politics (How is the government run?)
Authority (Who picks the people in charge?)
Insert a map of your country.

3. Notes on Government Economy
Capitalist: In a capitalist or free-market economy, people own their own businesses and property and must buy services for private use, such as healthcare.
Socialist: These governments own many of the larger industries and provide education, health and welfare services while allowing citizens some economic choices
Communist: In these countries, the government owns all businesses and farms and provides its people's healthcare, education and welfare.
Insert a map of your country.

4. Notes on Government Politics
Dictatorship: Rule by a single leader who has not been elected. Usually, there is little or no attention to public opinion or individual rights.
Totalitarian: Rule by a single political party.  People are forced to do what the government tells them and may also be prevented from leaving the country.
Theocracy: A form of government where the rulers claim to be ruling on behalf of a set of religious ideas, or as direct agents of a deity.
Insert a map of your country.

5. Notes on Government Politics (cont.)
Monarchy: A monarchy has a king or queen, who sometimes has absolute power. Power is passed along through the family.
Parliamentary: This system is led by representatives of the people. Each is chosen as a member of a political party and remains in power as long as his/her party does.
Republic: This is led by representatives of the voters. Each is individually chosen for a set period of time.
Anarchy: This is a situation where there is no government.
Insert a map of your country.

6. Notes on Government Authority
Autocracy: A type of government in which one person or group has unlimited power. The people are typically not allowed to vote.
Oligarchy: A form of government which consists of rule by an elite group who rule in their own interests, especially the accumulation of wealth and privilege. Only certain members of society have a valid voice in the government.
Democracy: The government is elected by the people. Everyone who is eligible to vote - which is a majority of the population - has a chance to have their say over who runs the country.
Insert a map of your country.

7. Review Questions Copy and answer the following questions.
What types of government are the most restrictive (allow the fewest choices)?
What types of government are the least restrictive?
Which governments are most likely to use violence and intimidation to maintain order, and why?
What events or situations might lead a nation’s government into anarchy, and why?
Under what kind of government would you want most to live, and why? Consider not only what you want for yourself, but how you want others to behave around you.
When Ms. Davis says “This is not a democracy; this is a benevolent dictatorship,” what does she mean?
Insert a map of your country.

8. History of (your country)
Make a timeline of the important historical events of your country or province.
Name of Event 1
Name of Event 2
Name of Event 3
Name of Event 4
Name of Event 5
Name of Event 6
Name of Event 7
Name of Event 8
1st Date
2nd Date
3rd Date
4th Date
5th Date
6th Date
7th Date
8th Date
Description of Event
Add key points in the history of your country to the timeline.

9. Bellringer: 10 minutes
I am holding the homework check until tomorrow. You’re welcome. No, you don’t have to say thank you out loud. :)
Copy the prompt (the part in italics) onto your own paper. Then answer the prompt. Your answer should be at least seven sentences long, with details.
Imagine you have a pen pal from another country. Write a letter to your pen pal explaining what you know about our nation’s government and how it works.

10. Exploring Governments
You have been given a sheet with a list of eleven countries—the United States and ten more that we will study this year.
Use your notes from yesterday and a textbook in order to classify the government of each country according to economic, political, and authority types.
You must quote your sources!
If you are finished with last night’s homework, look over your government notes from Tuesday to prepare for the test on Friday, August 27th.
Insert a map of your country.

11. Exploring Governments
Take out your six questions for homework from Tuesday. I will be checking this for credit.
If you are not done with your worksheet from yesterday, begin working on it RIGHT NOW.
If you are finished with the worksheet, look over your government notes from Tuesday to prepare for the test on Friday, August 27th.
Insert a map of your country.