Unit 10

Types of Government

Vocabulary Termsgovernmentpowermonarchy“divine right” theoryabsolute monarchyLouis XIVconstitutional monarchyrepublicThomas Jeffersondemocracy

direct democracyrepresentative governmentdictatorshipIdi Amin DadaRobert MugabeJoseph Stalintotalitarianismtheocracysupreme leaderoligarchy

Essential Question

What is the best form of government?

What is Government?Government – the organization that

people set up to protect their community and to enforce its rulesRole of government is to protect

the lives, liberties, and property of members of the community

Governments also provide services that individuals cannot provide on their own

Governments are given power – the authority to use force – to exercise authority

Types of GovernmentMonarchy – rulers inherit

power; when a ruler dies, power automatically passes from one of the monarch’s children or close relativesOldest form of government

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

Types of GovernmentAbsolute monarchy

Kings or queens claimed to have absolute power

This power was often claimed to be granted by “divine right”Divine right theory – belief that a king

is God’s deputy on Earth, and that royal commands express God’s wishes

Ordinary people had no rights or freedoms except those allowed by the monarch

Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE, are the only absolute monarchies remaining in the world (most are transitioning)

Types of GovernmentConstitutional monarchy

Shares power with an elected legislatureMonarch rules as the symbolic head

of state, while the elected members of Parliament govern the country

ExamplesGreat Britain – hereditary monarch,

elected House of CommonsJapanKuwait

Types of GovernmentRepublic

Power is held by the people and the representatives they electThese elected representatives make decisions for

the people based on their wants and needsGovernment without a king or queenExamples

Roman Republic (509 BC – 27 BC)The United States of America (established in 1776)South Sudan (established in 2011)

Types of GovernmentDemocracy – government authority is

based on the will of the peoplePeople are guaranteed certain basic

rights, and are granted the freedom to criticize the government freely

Direct democracyPeople vote on issues directly Developed in ancient Athens in the

5th century B.C., as citizens of ancient Athens assembled to directly make their decisions regarding the city-state

Types of GovernmentRepresentative democracy

Developed by the ancient Romans

Different social groups elected their own representatives, who met in assemblies, while the nobles met in the Senate

Government power was divided between two branches, who voted on various issues

Types of GovernmentLater democracies

Various countries developed their own national assemblies England – land owners elected representatives to

the House of Commons, one of two chambers of Parliament

United States of America – each colony had its own colonial legislature; following independence in 1776, representatives are elected to Congress, either in the House of Representatives or the Senate

Latin America – after achieving independence from European powers in the late 19th century, several countries became democracies

Europe – many countries became democracies following World War I

Asia – many countries became democracies following World War II

Africa – in 1957, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to become a democracy

Types of Government Dictatorship

An individual leader or political party enjoys great power and total control over the citizens

Seizes control by force or is placed into a position of authority by others

Since 1945, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa have been common areas for military dictatorships, as the military sometimes seized power and established a dictatorshipUganda – Idi Amin Dada became a brutal military dictator while

serving as president from 1971-1979Zimbabwe – although Robert Mugabe was elected to power, he

quickly became a dictator who blocked his opponents from voting Iraq – Saddam Hussein (ruled 1979-2003) was known for torturing

those who spoke out against him and for invading neighboring countries to increase his own wealth and power

Chile – Augusto Pinochet (ruled 1973-1998) seized power from the democratically elected president, who died under mysterious circumstances, and was known for killing and torturing his enemies

Types of GovernmentDictators are free to do as they please, while other citizens

have few rights and very little influence over the governmentDecisions can be made quickly under the rule of a dictator

Ancient Romans used to appoint dictators when they were at war and needed strong leadership

When the war was over, the dictator was supposed to give up his power

Modern-day dictators tend to hold on to power until they are overthrown

Sometimes dictators hold elections to obtain legitimacy for their governmentWhile an election victory might justify the rule of the

dictator, it is often times not the will of the people, as there are no opposition parties and people are afraid to criticize the ruler

Types of GovernmentTotalitarianism

System of government in which the government controls all aspects of individual life (total control)People can only belong to organizations controlled by the government – this means no separate political parties, labor unions or other organizations are allowed

The government controls or prohibits all churches and religious groups

Types of GovernmentModern dictators

Adolf Hitler – GermanyGerman politician and leader of the Nazi Party, whose foreign policy caused the onset of World War II

Responsible for the genocide of 6 million Jews and millions of others whom he deemed to be “inferior”

Types of GovernmentJoseph Stalin – Soviet UnionCommunist dictator who replaced Lenin in 1924 as the leader of the Soviet Union

Turned the Soviet Union into a totalitarian state

Anyone who opposed him was sent to icy gulags (prisons) in Siberia

Types of GovernmentMao Zedong – China

Ruled from 1949-1976Highly controversial

figure – supporters credit him with modernizing China and increasing its world influence, while critics believe him to be a dictator who oversaw human rights abuses through starvation and forced labor

Types of GovernmentTheocracy

Government run by religious leadersThe government claims to be directed by God, or

divinely blessedNo separation of church and state, and citizens of

other faiths are often excluded or expelledEarly theocracies

Pharaohs of ancient EgyptEmperor of the Byzantine EmpirePope over territories in ItalyPuritan ministers in colonial Massachusetts

Types of GovernmentIran’s Theocracy

Muslim leaders seized power in Iran in 1979The Iranian constitution emphasizes the

importance of religion and Islamic law (Sharia)

Iran is considered to be a “theocratic republic”, as voters elect the President and representatives to the legislature

HOWEVER…these officials answer to the Supreme Leader, who is the religious leader of the country, and is the head of the government (even above the president)

The Supreme Leader (Ayatollah) interprets religious law, can dismiss the President, and can declare war

Currently is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Types of GovernmentOligarchy – means “to rule or to command”; power

rests with a small group of people who could be distinguished by royalty, wealth, family ties, education, corporate, or military controlRussian Federation (1991-present) – many Russian

producers in the areas of natural gas, petroleum, and precious metals are seen as oligarchs (possessing great wealth and political influence)

South Africa (1948-1994) – system of apartheid (racial segregation) enforced by the government, which kept the rights of the black majority curtailed and allowed the white minority greater rights and freedoms

United States Supreme Court – All of the current 9 justices are alumni of Harvard or Yale law schools