Agenda Wed 8/24 & Thurs 8/25

• RAP #3: Governmental Influence

• HW Review

• Gov in Action Reports

• Nucountry Convention• HW: Government Priorities Matrix

– Pg 16 #1-6

Essential Question:How should political and economic power be distributed in a society?

Content Objective: Analyze systems of government from the perspective of one interest group.

Language Objective:Collaborate with your interest group team to determine the best type of government..

RAP #3: Governmental Influence

“That government is best which governs least.”

• Explain what you think the quote means.

• Does the quote apply to everyday life? Why/Why not?

• Does the quote apply more historically or currently? Explain.

Term/Example Definition Pros Cons

Monarchy:

Dictatorship:

Theocracy:

Single-Party State:

Iran

•Single ruler•Supreme power•Heredity/Divine Right

•Efficient•Clear Succession•Unified loyalty

•One leader is not like the other•Welcome to the 21st century

•Single ruler•Supreme power•Military

•Abuse opposition•Too legit?

•Efficient•Maintain peace and order

Cuba

Great Britain

PRC

•Religious leaders

•One party •Pass laws easy •Elite v. commoner•Clones

•Political/social unity•Politics in line w/ moral values

Difficult to enforceMinorities left out--persecuted

Term/Example Definition Pros Cons

Direct Democracy:

Parliamentary Democracy:

Presidential Democracy:

Athens (city-state)

Canada

Most S. American countries

•Direct decisions by assembly or ballot

•Elect lawmakers•Exec from ruling party

•Elect lawmakers•Elect Pres

Time

•No checks on powers•PM can be forced out•Stuck w/ reps for term•Gridlock

•One person = one vote•Decisions supported

• Exec and ruling party work together

•Sep of branches = sep of power•Set terms

Term/Example Definition Pros Cons

Unitary System:

Federal System:

Confederal System:

Most of Africa/Asia/Europe

UAE or EU

Mexico

•Centralized power

•Power divided btwn central & regional

•Power in the parts•Central power from parts

•United & Independent•Keeps central gov in check

•Regional govt gets choices•Large, diverse systems

•National unity•All parts follow same laws

•Central gov weak•Conflicts btwn regions

•Laws can be conflicting•Conflict btwn central & regional

•Big Brother can’t watch everyone•Not all same needs everywhere

Term/Example Definition Pros Cons

Traditional Economy:

Market Economy:

Command Economy:

Papau NewGuinea

USA

North Korea

Decisions about production determined by central govt

Decisions about production made via buyers/sellers

Decisions about production based on tradition

Full employmentPrice controlStabilityDistribute wealth

EfficientCompetitionIndividual

ownership

Same values oil in the machineProvide for self

Little incentive to work hardGovt planners not as efficient/in touch

InstabilityUnequal distribution of wealth

Low standard of livingLimited access to goods/services

Homework: Government Priorities Matrix

7

Imagine that you are advising a country that is creating a new constitution.

Below are the priorities that the country might have when it comes to a government and an economic system.

For each possible priority, identify the combination (form of government + system of government + economic system) you would recommend.

Then write a sentence for each priority (5) explaining why you think this combination works best for the particular priority.

Monarchy Unitary Traditional