Unit 1: Philosophical Foundations & Comparative Perspectives

1. Unit 1: Philosophical Foundations & Comparative Perspectives Lesson 2: How do various governments differ from one another?

2. Lesson Objective • SWBAT evaluate the strengths and weaknesses to different forms of government and then assess the effectiveness of these governments in handling various crises.

3. Word of the Day/Initial Activity • Sovereign • A supreme ruler, esp. a monarch. • Possessing supreme or ultimate power: "the people's will is in theory sovereign". • Sovereign Power • View these two pictures below and apply background knowledge of world history to two brief responses. • Where does the sovereign power come from for both of these pictures? • Which source of sovereign power is better at running a country? • Discussion • Is there one form of government that is the “best” or is this qualification different for each country?

4. Different forms of government • Forms of government can be defined under two general classifications: Authoritarian vs. Democratic Governments • Authoritarian • Favoring or enforcing strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom. • Single leader or group of leaders with complete political control • State’s needs come before individual needs • No limit on power • Democratic • Favoring or characterized by social equality; egalitarian. • Self-rule • Individuals needs are similar with the needs of the state • Every citizen gets a vote and bureaucracy is embedded in every decision.

5. Different Forms of government • Authoritarian • Totalitarianism • Individual is subordinate to the state, state controls EVERYTHING • Communism • State controls economy through elimination of private ownership, single ruling, authoritarian party. No social classes, all equal. • Theocracy • All authority derived from a deity, priest class interprets his meaning. • Oligarchy • Small group runs country, chosen through wealth or power. • Democratic • Constitutional Monarchy • Monarchy is guided by a constitution- powers spelled out for them. • Democratic Republic • Citizens vote for representatives who are responsible for them. • Parliamentary Democracy • Parliament selects the government • Federal • Power divided between federal authority and constituent regions.

6. Major purposes of government: Turn & Talk George Washington, On Government • “Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.” • What words stand out? What’s the jist of the statement? Chart! • 1 minute to write down a response to this question: • Why does Washington see government as something to respect and possibly be in awe of rather than a simple tool to run a country? Use evidence from the quote and any background knowledge of American history in your answer. • Turn & Talk: 30 seconds per partner • Share Out

7. Activity: Ordering • Focus Question: How are different governments adapt at handling various societal problems? • Directions: • Place the different forms of government in order of most able of handling a crisis to least capable of handling a crisis. For each situation, choose two of the governments and evaluate, using evidence from the mini-lesson as well as your opinion, why you placed them in that order. • Societal Problems & Situations: • Elections • Open Market economy • Riots • Famine • Civil War • Trayvon Martin Court Case

8. Summary • Exit Ticket • Based upon today’s activity and your own opinion, which form of government is the best to handle to various problems America has faced throughout its history? • Discussion • Do you believe that America would function better under a different political system? • Parking Lot • Develop one critical thinking question from today’s mini-lesson or activity. • Write onto post-it and place onto parking lot. You will address these questions as a class during the initial-activity each following day.