Government

1. Government

2. Government • A system, group, or individual that makes decisions for the people in a social group, state, or nation

3. Responsibilities • Duties owed by citizens to their government to make sure it can continue its functions

4. Ways in which we organize governments: • rule by one= autocracy • rule by few = oligarchy • rule by many = democracy

5. Limited Government • Type of government where, through law, some control is placed on leadership’s powers • They HAVElimits on their powers • everyone, including authority, must obey the law; usually citizens vote, societies have constitutions, freedom of the press/speech

6. Democracy • Definition- A type of government when laws are made by elected leaders.. (to ELECT means to VOTE) • “Rule by MANY”

7. Direct Democracy • First known Democracy arose in ancient Athens in the fifth century B.C. • Democracy is Greek for – “people-power” • Citizens of ancient Athens assembled to make important decisions facing their city-state. • They voted on the issues directly. *Examples: Small New England Towns; Switzerland

8. Representative Democracy • The Romans developed the first representative democracy. • Different social groups elected their own representatives who met in assemblies. The nobles were represented in the Senate. • The governmental power was divided between these two branch and they voted on various issues. • *Examples: United States

9. Republic • When a society overturns its monarchy it becomes a republic. • It is simply a government without a king or queen. • The head of the country is usually an elected president. • The people in a republic choose representatives to make decisions. • Example: France and the United States

10. Constitutional Monarchy • Government in which the king or queen is the official head of state, but elected officials run the government • Monarchs’ powers are limited by a written constitution. • Council of lords can overrule the king’s decision with a vote • Example: Great Britain

11. Unlimited Government • Type of government which leaders rule without any restrictions • There are NO limits on their powers

12. Monarchy • Rule by an individual who has inherited the role and expects to bequeath it to their heir • The rulers often claim to hold this power by “divine right” or the will of God. • Ordinary people have no rights or freedoms, except those that the monarch allowed. • Autocracy-”Rule by ONE”

13. Dictatorship • Rule by an individual who has full power over the country • The leader has not been elected and may use force to keep control. • In a military dictatorship, the army is in control. • People are afraid to criticize or oppose the dictator. • Autocracy-”Rule by ONE” • Examples: • Adolf Hitler, Germany • Joseph Stalin, Soviet Union • Muammar Qadhafi, Libya

14. Totalitarian • The state regulates nearly every aspect of public and private behavior • People are forced to do what the government tells them and may also be prevented from leaving the country. • People who oppose the government are arrested and sent to labor camps or killed. • “Rule by ONE” • Example: Nazi Germany, Joseph Stalin, Saddam Hussein

15. Communist State or Single Party State • Government has total control over economics and society as a whole • In a communist country, the government owns property such as businesses and farms. • It provides its people's healthcare, education and welfare. • Example: China

16. Theocracy • Rule by a religious elite • A form of government in which a god or deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler • In Ancient times the rule was usually a priest. • Oligarchy- “Rule by FEW” • Example-Iran,

17. Anarchy • Absence, or lack of government • This can happen after a civil war in a country, when a government has been destroyed and rival groups are fighting to take its place. • Anarchists are people who believe that government is a bad thing in that it stops people organizing their own lives. • Example-Somalia used to be