Types & Systems of Government

Unit 1: Foundation/theory of government & Constitutional Underpinnings

Type of government: usually means who holds the power:◦ Autocracy◦ Oligarchy◦ Democracy

Pluralism theory Elite & class theory Hyper pluralist theory

Types of government

Def: Power & authority to rule are in the hands of a single individual◦ Ex. Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, Castro

Characteristics: ◦ Oldest & most common form of govt.◦ Get to power by inheritance, or ruthless police/military

force◦ 2 types:

Totalitarian Dictatorship: total control of social & economic life Monarchy: led by king, queen, emperor exercising full power 2 types:

Absolute monarch: complete & unlimited rule over their people Constitutional monarch: either share constitutional power with

legislature, or are more ceremonial leaders

Autocracy

Def: a type of government in which a small group holds power◦ All communist countries, Iran (theocracy)

Characteristics:◦ Group gets power from wealth, military power,

social position, religion or combination of these◦ Mostly seen in communist countries: N. Korea,

Cuba, Iran◦ Always pretending that are ruling for the people◦ All opposition is either suppressed, or eliminated

Oligarchy

Def.: a type of government in which rule is by the people, Greek term meaning people rule◦ USA, Chile, India, Japan, S. Africa

Characteristics: ◦ People hold sovereign power◦ Individual liberty◦ Majority rule w/minority rights◦ Free elections◦ Competing political parties◦ 2 types:

Direct democracy: people rule themselves by voting directly on issues, can only exist in small societies

Representative Democracy: people elect representatives & give them responsibilities & power to make laws and conduct government, great for large countries, voters are source of power

Democracy

Def.: politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies◦ Ex. NRA, NOW, UAW

Characteristics: ◦ a more positive theory, democratic way for people to get

involved◦ Have open access to politicians & branches of govt◦ Compete with other groups for control over policy◦ No one group dominates◦ If they lose can take battle to another arena◦ Use bargaining & compromise to win people over◦ Groups of minorities working together to win

Democracy: Pluralism

Def.: societies are divided along class lines & that an upper class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization

Characteristics: ◦ Created by critics of pluralist theory◦ Its not about who has power, but how power is distributed◦ 1% of population owns over 40% of wealth◦ They can control policy decisions since they can finance

campaigns and control key institutions such as corporations◦ These few therefore not only control govt., but are the govt.◦ Who holds power in govt. is a minor compared to corporate

giants Ex. Ronald Reagan & 1980s an era for the elite & rich

Democracy: Elite & Class Theory

Def.: groups (special interest) are so strong that government is weakened, influence of many groups cripples government’s ability to make policy

Characteristics: ◦ A negative critique of pluralist theory◦ Too many groups try & control policy◦ Too much government; overlapping powers; hard to

coordinate policy implementation◦ Groups have become sovereign & government their servant◦ When a group loses they take it to another part or branch

Ex. When a group loses in congress they take it to court to overturn

◦ These groups divide govt. & its authority, govt. gives in to every group which leads to confusion & contradiction

Democracy: Hyperpluralism

System of govt. refers to: how the power is distributed across the state:◦ Unitary◦ Federal◦ Confederate

Systems of government

Def.: All key powers & decisions given to the National/Central govt.:◦ Ex. Britain, Italy, France (works best in small land

countries) Characteristics:

◦ Made up of central & provincial/state govt.◦ Power goes top to bottom◦ Power of local always checked by central govt.

Unitary

Def.: power is divided between national, state, and local govt.◦ Ex.: USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, India, Russia

(usually big land mass countries) Characteristics:

◦ Power shared between all levels◦ Each with clear areas of sovereignty◦ Constitution supreme over all levels

Federal

Def.: a loose union of independent states◦ Ex. Native tribes, USA under Articles of

Confederation, Confederate states during Civil War

Characteristics:◦ Only unite for a limited few purposes

Economic or defense◦ A weak national government due to sovereignty

of member states Member states prefer it weak!

Confederation