Politics and Culture

1. Politics and Culture Images courtesy of loc.gov, rightsofthepeople.com, arcticcompass.blogspot.com, theodora.com, farsinet.com, ipo.umass.edu, wikimedia.org, www.eldermediation.ca

2. Political Units • Cities, counties, states, and countries • Different levels might overlap • Defined by boundaries, called borders, at each level: • Man-made • Natural

4. Natural Border

6. Man-Made Border

7. Government All types of government are defined by answering a few questions: • How much control does the government have? • Where does the power come from? • How is the ruler changed? • How much freedom do the people have? • How much power is given to minorities?

8. Democracy • Government is directed by the people • Rule by the majority – directly or indirectly; often called “Mob Rule” • Human rights and individual freedoms are valued, encouraged • Free elections for all people whom are eligible to vote • While democracies tend to protect the rights of minorities, these are not guaranteed • Switzerlandis a democracy

9. Republic • Government is limited by law • Constitutions and laws direct the government • Free elections for all those allowed by law to vote • Constitutions guarantee certain rights to the people • Rights of minorities are defined by law • The UnitedStates is a republic

10. Monarchy • In traditional monarchies, the monarch holds absolute power; in constitutional monarchies, power is shared with elected officials • The ruler is decided by lineage • When a ruler dies, power passes to a member of the monarch’s family • The amount of freedom people enjoy is decided by those in power • Minority rights are defined by those in power • Saudi Arabia is a traditional monarchy; Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy

11. Theocracy • A religious leader or council has ultimate authority • Power comes from religious belief • Rulers are chosen by the church • People are limited by religious law, as interpreted by the government • Minorities, particularly religious minorities, may be discriminated against • Iran is a theocracy

12. Dictatorship • A single person or small group exercises complete power • Dictators seize power or are placed into a position of authority by a group in society • Dictators hold power until they are overthrown • People have little to no freedom in a dictatorship • Minorities are often discriminated against • North Korea is a dictatorship

13. Totalitarianism • Government controls all aspects of their citizens’ lives • Dictatorship with unlimited authority • Rule until death or removal • No freedom, and significant repression (of all, including minorities) • Burma is a totalitarian state

14. Cultural beliefs and government Citizenship practices, public policies, and decision making may be influenced by: • Nationalism • Patriotism • Gender Bias • Religion • Tradition