Types of Government

Types of Government

AutocracyOligarchyDemocracy

Types of GovernmentForms of GovernmentSS6CG4 The student will compare and contrast various forms of government. b. Explain how governments determine citizen participation: autocratic, oligarchic, and democratic.

Essential QuestionsHow do citizens participate in different forms of government (autocratic, oligarchic, democratic)? How is power distributed in different forms of government (unitary, confederation, and federal)? What are the important democratic features of parliamentary and presidential forms of government? Participation is the Key

DictatorshipDictatorship - A dictatorship consists of rule by one person. Very few dictators actually admit they are dictators; they almost always claim to be leaders of democracies. The dictator may be one person, such as Castro in Cuba or Hitler in Germany.MonarchyMonarchy - A monarchy consists of rule by a king or queen. Sometimes a king is called an "emperor," like in Ancient China. Today, there are no large true monarchies. The United Kingdom is no longer a pure monarchy even though it has a Queen because she has no political power.DemocracyDemocracy - The word "democracy" literally means "rule by the people." In ademocracy, the people make the rules.RepublicRepublic - In a republic, the people elect representatives to make and enforce laws.AutocracyGovernment in which one person has uncontrolled or unlimited authority over othersHow Governments Determine Citizen ParticipationForms of Autocratic Govts. Absolute or Totalitarian Dictatorship Ideas of a single leader glorified. Government tries to control all aspects of social and economic life. Government is not responsible to the people. People lack the power to limit their rulers. Examples- Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Joseph StalinRemy, Richard C., United States Government- Democracy in Action (Columbus, OH: Glencoe, McGraw-Hill, 2006) 10How Governments Determine Citizen ParticipationForms of Autocratic Govts. Absolute Monarchy King, queen, or emperor exercises the supreme powers of government/unlimited power. Position is usually inherited. People lack the power to limit their rulers. Absolute monarchs are rare today but from the 1400s to the 1700s they ruled most of Western Europe. Examples- King of Saudi Arabia. Remy, Richard C., United States Government- Democracy in Action (Columbus, OH: Glencoe, McGraw-Hill, 2006) 11How Governments Determine Citizen ParticipationForms of Autocratic Govts. Absolute Monarchy King, queen, or emperor exercises the supreme powers of government/unlimited power. Position is usually inherited. People lack the power to limit their rulers. Absolute monarchs are rare today but from the 1400s to the 1700s they ruled most of Western Europe. Examples- King of Saudi Arabia. Remy, Richard C., United States Government- Democracy in Action (Columbus, OH: Glencoe, McGraw-Hill, 2006) 12AristocracyAristocracy - Rule by the aristocrats. Aristocrats are typically wealthy, educated people.OligarchyOligarchy - Rule by a small, select group of people.OligarchyHow Governments Determine Citizen ParticipationTeacher Notes: Explain the different ways citizen participation in their government is defined. Government by the few.Sometimes a small group exercises control, especially for corrupt and selfish purposes.The citizen has a very limited role. How Governments Determine Citizen ParticipationOligarchy The group gets its power from military power, social power, wealth, religion or a combination. Political opposition is usually suppressed- sometimes violently. Examples- Communist countries such as China. Leaders in the party and armed forces control government.Remy, Richard C., United States Government- Democracy in Action (Columbus, OH: Glencoe, McGraw-Hill, 2006) 16How Governments Determine Citizen ParticipationAutocracy & Oligarchy Sometimes claim they rule for the people. In reality, the people have very little say in both types of government. Examples- May hold elections with only one candidate or control the results in various ways. Examples- Even when these governments have a legislature or national assembly, they often only approve decisions made by the leaders.

Remy, Richard C., United States Government- Democracy in Action (Columbus, OH: Glencoe, McGraw-Hill, 2006) 17WarningMost countries have their form of government listed in their official country name. For example, Brazils conventional long form name is the Federative Republic of Brazil and its government type is a Federal Republic. This is not always accurate as North Koreas official name is the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea and its government type is a Communist state one-man dictatorship. Democratic Republic**Interesting Note - Democratic Republic - Usually, a "democratic republic" is not a democracy or a republic. A government that officially calls itself a "democratic republic" is usually a dictatorship. Examples: North Vietnam was "The Democratic Republic of Vietnam or"The People's Republic of China."ActivityChoose a form of government. Please answer the following questions about your government, and be prepared to share with the class.What is the name of your government?Who is in charge, and what is he/she called?How did he/she come to power? How long with they stay in power?Draw the flag of your governmentAll of these things should be presented neatly on the poster board so the whole class can read it.AssessmentCreate a Voki character at http://www.voki.com/ to be your president (can look like a person in your class, a famous person, etc.)Give the person text to describe the lifestyle this leader would give to his or her citizens.Present your character and the poster to the class.