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Citizen Participation

Citizen Participation. To study governments, geographers look at the following:. Types – Who rules and who participates. Systems – How the power is distributed. Types of Government are based on one key question: Who governs and what is the citizen participation ?.

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Citizen Participation

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  1. Citizen Participation

  2. To study governments, geographers look at the following: • Types – Who rules and who participates. • Systems – How the power is distributed.

  3. Types of Government are based on one key question: Who governs and what is the citizen participation? • There are three types of governments: • Autocracy, Oligarchy, and Democracy

  4. Autocracy • Government in which the power to govern is held by one person. • Generally the power to rule is inherited or by military force. • There are three types of Autocracy.

  5. #1 Dictatorship • The leader has not been elected and uses force to control all aspects of social and economic life. • Examples: Iraq under Saddam Hussein

  6. #2 AbsoluteMonarchy • A monarchy has a king, queen, emperor or empress. • The power is usually inherited or passed down from family members. • The monarch has absolute power meaning they can make all decisions without consulting anyone. • Example: Saudi Arabia

  7. #3 Constitutional Monarchy • Kings, queens or emperors share power with elected legislatures. • Generally the Kings are nothing more than figureheads. • The government is a democratic one that limits the monarchs power. • Example: Jordan

  8. Oligarchy • A government in which a few people such as a dominant clan or clique have power. • The group gets their power from either military, wealth or social status. • Elections may be held but offer only one candidate. • 2 types of oligarchies

  9. #1: Theocracy • A theocracy is a government ruled by religious leaders according to religious law • The group is ruled by the group’s spiritual leaders • Religious leaders can often exert great influence over the group’s actions • Examples: Iran and Afghanistan under the Taliban

  10. #2: Aristocracy • Upper class citizens, however that might be defined in any one society, holds the power • Heredity, rule by right of birth, plays a large role in continuing power • Example: Medieval England

  11. Democracy • In a democracy, the government is “Rule by the people” • The people play a much greater role in deciding who rulers are and what decisions are made • Example: Israel, the United States

  12. In a democracy…. • Individual freedom and equality is valued. • Free elections are held • Decisions are based on majority rule. • All candidates can express their views freely. • Citizens vote by secret ballot.

  13. Republics • A republic is a representative democracy • The people FREELY choose leaders who will represent their views in government when these leaders make decisions • Many countries in the Middle East claim to be republics, but are actually not, but instead are autocracies or oligarchies • Syria – “republic” under military control, elections are not fair or free, one political party – the Baath Party (Saddam Hussein’s party) • Egypt – also calls itself a “republic” but President Hosni Mubarak has controlled the government since 1981, though elections have been held (not fair or free) • Israel – a true republic, people elect a parliament

  14. Democratic Governments • There are two major forms of democratic governments: • Parliamentary • Presidential

  15. Parliamentary Democracy • Voters elect members to the Parliament (legislature) • Parliament makes and carries out (enforces) the laws for the country • The party that wins the majority of representatives in the legislature usually chooses the leader • This leader is often called a Prime Minister or Premier • In some parliamentary democracies there are “Head of States” who are ceremonial leaders • Jordan • Israel (Knesset)

  16. Presidential Democracy • The president, or chief executive, is chosen separately from the legislature • Legislature passes laws and the president enforces those laws • The president holds power separately from the legislature, but doesn’t have the power to dismiss the legislature or force them to make particular laws • The president is the official head of the government • The legislature does not have the power to dismiss the president, except in extreme cases when the impeachment process can be used • The president serves for a set period of time

  17. Presidential Democracy • Consists of three branches • Judicial (Supreme Court and 9 justices) • Highest court in the country • Legislative (Congress) – makes laws • Senate • House of Representatives • Executive (President) – enforces laws

  18. Presidential Democracy • Voters elect legislators • Voters elect (indirectly) the president. • Therefore, in the presidential system voters have a more direct say about those who serve in two branches of the government : • Legislative • Executive

  19. Executive Executive Legislative Select Elect Elect Legislative Elect Citizens Citizens

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