Governments

Political Geography & Governments

What is Political Geography?

The study of governmental systems from around the

world

What is Government?

An organization that people set up to protect their community and to enforce its rules

Roles of the government:

To protect lives To protect liberties To protect property of

members of the community

To provide services that the people cannot provide on their own

What are the different types of governmental systems?

Monarchy Ruled by a family headed by a

King or Queen The ruler inherits their power - when

the ruler dies, power is passed to one of the monarch’s children or close relative

These monarchs (kings, sultans, emperors) surround themselves with followers and advisors who help them govern

Pros – Stability Cons – Limits on Power

Constitutional Monarchy Monarchs share power

with an elected legislature Parliament

Usually the monarch serves as the symbolic head of state while elected members of Parliament govern the country

▪ Example: United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Jordan

Qaboos Bin Said Al Said – Sultan of Oman

Mswati III of Swaziland, Africa’s last absolute monarch in the world.

Imperial household of Japan (ko shitsu) oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world. Akihito.

Sheikh Sabah Al‑Ahmad Al‑Jaber Al‑Sabah. Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy

Cambodia‑Sihamoni Cambodia is a constitutional

monarchy

Queen Elizabeth - United Kingdom-constitutional monarchy

Republic A republic is a government without a king or

a queen.• Usually when a country overturns its

monarchy it will become a republic.• Republics can be democratic, theocratic,

or parliamentary.• An example would be the United States,

which is a Democratic Republic

Branches of United States Branches of United States GovernmentGovernment

Democracy Government authority is based on the will of the

people. • People either vote on issues directly, or they elect

representatives who make government decisions for them.

• People have certain rights – whereas they can criticize the government freely.

There are two types that we see:

Direct Democracy Representative Democracy

Direct Democracy The very first known

democracy was in ancient Greece in the 5th c BCE.• Democracy is Greek

for “people-power.”• Citizens assembled to

make decisions for their city-states.

• They voted on these issues directly. This is where the term direct-democracy evolved from.

Representative Democracy

It is a democracy where different social groups elected their own representatives, who then met in assemblies.• Nobles were

represented in the Senate

• Government power was divided between two branches and voting was on various issues.

• Romans were the first to develop the representative democracy.

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Direct Democracy - in which citizens have direct and active participation in the decision making of the government.

Representative Democracy - citizens remain the sovereign power but political power is exercised indirectly through elected representatives.

Dictatorship

One individual holds complete political power

The leader either seizes control by force or is placed into a position of authority by others

the citizens have no influence over governmental policy and do not have the right to choose their own leaders

Pros – easy, quick to makes big changes

Cons – corruption, dissent is not allowed

What do you think the colors of the map tell us about government(s) around the world? What do

you think each color represents?

Countries marked in dark colors are authoritarian, and most often dictatorships. Most of current

dictatorships are in Africa and Asia.

Communism

• The state plans and controls the economy and a single - often authoritarian - party holds power

• the elimination of private ownership of property or capital

Example: Cuba, People’s Republic of China, North Korea

• Pros – Classless Society• Cons – lack of Freedom

Theocracy• Government run by religious

leaders. It is an old form of government, like a monarchy.

Government claims to be directed by God or divinely blessed.

No legal separation between church and state

Citizens of other faiths are often excluded or expelled.

Ancient times rulers were often priests.

Pharaohs of ancient Egypt were believed to

be gods.

Examples of Theocracy throughout Examples of Theocracy throughout history.history.

The Byzantine Empire was ruled by an emperor who was

also head of the church.

In the Middle Ages, the head of the Catholic

Church, the Pope, ruled extensive territories in

Italy.

In early colonial times, Puritan

ministers helped govern

Massachusetts.

Iran, has both a theocratic

and democratic

government. The President

and representatives are elected

but are controlled by the Supreme

Leader.

The Supreme Leader is an Islamic cleric appointed for life.

“Anarchy” or “Failed State”

•Nobody in charge, only gangs and warlords.•Fueled by drugs or desire to control resources. •Happens when a country collapses.•Example: Somalia, parts of West Africa

Video: Write down 5 NEW things you learn or find interesting as we celebrate our rights and freedom using the following:

The United States Bill of Rightshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8JClfNVhug

1 Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

2 Right to keep and bear arms in order to maintain a well regulated militia.

3 No quartering of soldiers.4 Freedom from unreasonable searches and

seizures.5 Right to due process of law, freedom from self-

incrimination, double jeopardy.6 Rights of accused persons, e.g., right to a speedy

and public trial.7 Right of trial by jury in civil cases. 8 Freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual

punishments.9 Other rights of the people.

10 Powers reserved to the states.