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Classifying Governments

Explore the different forms of government, from autocracy and monarchy to democracy, and understand how they are classified and distributed geographically. Learn about the purposes and participation in government, as well as the ideologies that shape political systems.

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Classifying Governments

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  1. The evolution of democracy Classifying Governments

  2. Form a more perfect union • Establish Justice • Insure Domestic Tranquility • Provide for the Common Defense • Promote General Welfare • Secure Blessings of Liberty • “A nation is formed by the willingness of each of us to share in the responsibility for upholding the common good…For the American idea, though it is shared by all of us, is realized in each one of us.” Barbara Jordan Purposes of Government

  3. 1. Who Participates • Autocratic vs. Democratic • 2. Selecting the Executive • 3. Geographic Distribution of Power 3 Ways to Classify Governments

  4. Autocracy- “self-rule” one ruler who arbitrarily rules and controls the people’s lives in the name of the people • Monarchy-Denmark • Dictatorship-former Iraq • Totalitarian- Peoples’ Republic of China, former Soviet Union 1. Who Participates?

  5. Oligarchy-rule by few • Junta- rule by military (former Chile, Thailand, Pakistan) • Aristocracy- rule by landed classes (former Mexico) • Theocracy- rule by religious officials (Iran, Vatican) Who Participates?

  6. Democracy- “rule of the people” • Direct • Indirect Who Participates?

  7. An ideal democracy should have • Equality in voting • Effective participation • Enlightened understanding • Citizen control of agenda • Inclusion • (also majority rule with minority rights) democratic theory

  8. Pluralist Theory: politics is defined by competition between groups pressing for its own policies and then finding compromise to serve the public interest • “nation of joiners” de Tocqueville • Group membership may be declining • Elite and Class Theory: society is divided along class lines and the upper class elite will always rule • We are not home to the market place that Adam Smith wrote about • Hyperpluralism: a perverted pluralism, groups are so strong and so many that government is weakened • If a group loses in Congress, they have the Courts • Politicians try to placate every group leading to muddled public policy American democratic theory

  9. Parliamentary-Executive is part of legislative Branch and chosen by its majority party Presidential-executive chosen at large by voters • More cooperation between the executive and the legislature-questions with the Prime Minister once a week • More accountability for the executive-legislature can ask for vote of no confidence • Cabinet officials play an active role in enactment of legislation • President not as representative as the Prime Minister • Allows one party to go unchecked • Instability 2. How is the Executive Chosen?-Parliamentary model vs. Presidential Model

  10. Unitary System 3. Geographic distribution of power People The Big Government makes policies for the local governments as well as handle national affairs: examples France, Britain, China, Egypt Big Government Local Government Local Government

  11. Geographic Distribution of Power • Confederal: The people establish the local governments which give to the national government (power that is extremely limited) (Articles of Confederation, Confederate States of America) • Federal: Power is constitutionally divided between levels of government, and their legitimacy comes from the people

  12. How much government? Want stuff More gov’t Have stuff Less gov’t

  13. Marxism/Leninism: central control of economy-total equality and security • Socialism: government control of economy-economic equality, political liberty • Liberalism: active government to achieve economic and social equality-political liberty, economic security, equal opportunity • Conservative: protect capitalism, political liberty, economic liberty, social order • Libertarianism: least government is best government Other ideologies

  14. Adapted from www.jim.com/hobbes.htm Locke vs. Hobbes

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