DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS vs. AUTHORITARIAN GOVERNMENTS

DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTSvs.

AUTHORITARIAN GOVERNMENTSTHE ULTIMATE BATTLE OF GOOD vs.

EVIL……sort of.

MAIN IDEA

• The people are the ultimate rulers of democratic countries

• A Ruler or small group of people control Totalitarian States (Countries)

DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT

• 3 kinds– Direct Democracy– Representative Democracy– Constitutional Monarchy

Direct Democracy

• All citizens meet to debate government matters and vote first hand.

• Not practical today, because of large areas of land and populations.

Representative Democracy

• Citizens elect “representatives” to make laws, and govern on their behalf.

• A system of limited government in which the people (voters) have the ultimate power.

Constitutional Monarchy

• Monarchy = gov’t with a hereditary ruler (king or queen).

Constitutional Monarchy= power of monarch is limited by a Constitution and laws.

Prime Minister

Democratic Principles

• “a government of the people, by the people and for the people”

• “of”=the power comes from the citizens• “by” – citizens run the gov’t (through reps)• “for” purpose is to make it better for citizens

Voting in a Democracy

• Free, fair, competitive elections.

• No discrimination at the polls

• Secret ballot

Voters have Choices

• Political parties – give voters choice, and serve as a watchdog when not in power.

• A political party is a “group of individuals with broad, common interests who organize to support candidates for office and determine public policy.

MAJORITY RULE

• When differences of opinion arise…we will do what most of the people want.– But you need to respect the views of the

minorities

AUTHORITARIAN COVERNMENT

• Power is held by ONE INDIVIDUAL or a small group of people who are not representative of the people.

• 3 kinds:– Absolute Monarchy– Dictatorship– Totalitarianism

Absolute Monarchy

• Monarchy where the ruler has UNLIMITED authority to rule as they wish.

• Almost nonexistent today

Dictatorships

• Dictators in control – rule just like a monarch – but are not “born into” the position.

• They acquire their power through brute military force.

• Continue to rely on this police and military power to remain in power.

• Tamper with elections or refuse to hold them.• Limit freedom of speech, press, and assembly.

Manuel Noriega - Panama

Fidel Castro - Cuba

Saddam Hussein - Iraq

TotalitarianismA system of rule imposed by dictators

• Government controls ALL aspects of life• Ban political opposititon• Regulate the means of production• Eliminate individual freedom –telling people

what to believe and with whom they interact• Control the media, introduce propaganda, use

scare tactics, and violence

Adolf Hitler - Germany

Benito Mussolini - Italy

Joseph Stalin – Soviet Union