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Our Form of Government

Our Form of Government. Democracy = a system of government in which the people rule Republic (a representative democracy) = a system of government in which the people rule through representatives Monarchy = a system where a king or queen rules

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Our Form of Government

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  1. Our Form of Government • Democracy = a system of government in which the people rule • Republic (a representative democracy) = a system of government in which the people rule through representatives • Monarchy = a system where a king or queen rules • Dictatorship = a system where 1 person rules, usually by force

  2. Three Levels of Government • Federal = our national government in Washington, DC (includes the President, the U.S. Congress, the Supreme Court) • State = our Colorado government (includes the Governor, the Colorado General Assembly (in the state capitol building), and state courts • Local = our city and county governments

  3. Three Levels of Government • Decide which activity is controlled by which level of government

  4. Ballot Measuresat State Level • initiative—allows citizens to place issues on the ballot through petition, bypassing state legislatures • referendum—legislatures ”refer” issues to a vote obtain citizen approval • Recall— allows removal of a public officials before the end of a term through petition • Direct primary—allows voting to nominate presidential candidates

  5. Initiative • allows citizens to place issues on the ballot through petition, bypassing state legislatures

  6. Referendum • referendum—legislatures ”refer” issues to a vote obtain citizen approval Example: 1998 Stadium Tax Referendum 4B

  7. Recall • allows removal of a public officials before the end of a term through petition “A recall effort to oust Mayor Federico Pena has apparently failed, an election official announced today, saying that petitions submitted fell more than 2,000 names short of the number required by law.” Associated Press, April 14, 1988

  8. Historic examples of Initiatives • Raise sales taxes in Denver to build a football stadium for the Broncos • Raise property taxes to build new schools in Adams County • Ban the use of horsemeat for human consumption in California • Legalize marijuana for personal use in Colorado

  9. Two Party System • Democrat = a person who belongs to the Democratic Party or who usually votes for Democratic candidates • Republican = a person who belongs to the Republican Party and/or who usually votes for Republican candidates • Independent = a person who is not a member of either party, tends to be more moderate, and may vote for Republicans OR Democrats

  10. Third Parties • Political parties that are neither Democrat nor Republican • Historical Examples: • Constitutional Union Party (1860) • People’s Party (Populists) (1892) • Progressive Party (1912) • States’ Rights Democratic Party (1948) • American Independent Party (1968) • Tea Party (?)

  11. Third Parties • Usually DON’T win, but… • The two major parties usually take the ideas of the third party and incorporate it into their own. • Current examples: • Libertarian Party • Green Party • Prohibition Party

  12. Political Spectrum • Liberal = a person who believes in change, a strong role for the government, and higher taxes • Conservative = a person who believes in traditional values, small government and low taxes • Moderate = a person who is right in the middle of the spectrum, who is willing to compromise to reach an agreement • Reactionary = a person on the far right wing of the political spectrum • Radical, Revolutionary = a person on the far left wing of the political spectrum

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