Politics and Government

Regions 1) Formal, 2) Functional, 3) Perceptual

Geographic Regions

Represent great clusters of common human activity or common physical characteristics Physical / Natural Characteristics

▪ Landforms, Climate, Vegetation Human / Cultural Characteristics

▪ Language, Religion, Ethnicity, Population, Disease

May change over time Do not have definite borders May differ based on point of view Separated from other regions by

transition zones

Transition Zones Edges of regions An area of spatial change where two adjacent

regions join Marked by a gradual shift (rather than a sharp

break) in the characteristics that distinguish neighboring regions

Area of mixed characteristics; possible tension between culture groups

Sub - Regions All regions can be divided into sub-regions

Example: United States’ sub-regions may include: ▪ Northeast, Midwest, South, North, West Coast▪ Metropolitan and Suburban areas▪ Physical Regions (Rocky Mountains, Great Lakes)

▪ Texas Example: Hill Country, Piney Woods, West Texas, The Valley, Coast, East Texas, Panhandle

Region and sub-region boundaries are based on criteria we establish

Political Geography & Governments

What is Political Geography?

The study of governmental systems from around the

world

What is Government?

An organization that people set up to protect their community and to enforce its rules

Roles of the government: To protect lives To protect liberties To protect property

of members of the community

To provide services that the people cannot provide on their own

What kinds of borders? Political Borders –

determined by govt. and are artificial (imaginary lines)

Example: North and South Korea

Natural Borders –created by physical features that divide one place from another

Example: Rio Grande River (Mexico and US)

What are nations and states?

State – an independent unit that occupies a specific territory and has full control of its internal and external affairs Sometimes called “country”

Nation – people w/ a common culture living in a common territory and having a strong sense of unity

Nation State – when a nation and a state occupy the same territory

Stateless Nation - some groups have a common nationality but no territory Palestinians, Kurds

What are the different types of governmental systems?

Monarchy Ruled by a family headed by a

King or Queen The ruler inherits their power -

when the ruler dies, power is passed to one of the monarch’s children or close relative

These monarchs (kings, sultans, emperors) surround themselves with followers and advisors who help them govern

Pros – Stability Cons – Limits on Power

Constitutional Monarchy Monarchs share power

with an elected legislature Parliament

Usually the monarch serves as the symbolic head of state while elected members of Parliament govern the country

Example: United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Jordan

Qaboos Bin Said Al Said – Sultan of Oman

Mswati III of Swaziland, Africa’s last absolute monarch in the world.

Imperial household of Japan (ko shitsu) oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world. Akihito.

Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad ‑Al Jaber Al Sabah. ‑ ‑ Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy

Cambodia Sihamoni‑ Cambodia is a constitutional

monarchy

Queen Elizabeth - United Kingdom-constitutional monarchy

Republic

A republic is a government without a king or a queen.• Usually when a country overturns its

monarchy it will become a republic.• Republics can be democratic, theocratic, or

parliamentary.• An example would be the United States,

which is a Democratic Republic

Branches of United States Government

DemocracyGovernment authority is based on the will of the

people. • People either vote on issues directly, or they

elect representatives who make government decisions for them.

• People have certain rights – whereas they can criticize the government freely.

Direct Democracy Representative Democracy Modern Democracies

Direct Democracy The very first known

democracy was in ancient Greece in the 5th c BCE.• Democracy is Greek

for “people-power.”• Citizens assembled to

make decisions for their city-states.

• They voted on these issues directly. This is where the term direct-democracy evolved from.

Representative Democracy

It is a democracy where different social groups elected their own representatives, who then met in assemblies.• Nobles were represented

in the Senate• Government power was

divided between two branches and voting was on various issues.

• Romans were the first to develop the representative democracy.

Dictatorship

One individual holds complete political power

The leader either seizes control by force or is placed into a position of authority by others

the citizens have no influence over governmental policy and do not have the right to choose their own leaders

If a small group holds the power, called an “oligarchy”

Pros – easy, quick to makes big changes

Cons – corruption, dissent is not allowed

Totalitarianism A form of dictatorship that seeks to

control all aspects of social life within a country• This control extends to the police,

military, communications, economy and education system.

• Government also controls television, radio, and newspapers.• Censorship of books and articles that

criticize the government No separate political parties, labor

unions, or other organizations are allowed.

Government either controls or prohibits all churches and religious groups.

Countries marked in dark colors are authoritarian, and most often dictatorships. Most of current dictatorships are in Africa

and Asia.

Communism

• the state plans and controls the economy and a single - often authoritarian - party holds power

• the elimination of private ownership of property or capital

Example: Cuba, People’s Republic of China, North Korea

• Pros – Classless Society• Cons – lack of Freedom

Theocracy• Government run by

religious leaders. It is an old form of government, like a monarchy.

Government claims to be directed by God or divinely blessed.

No legal separation between church and state

Citizens of other faiths are often excluded or expelled.

Ancient times rulers were often priests.

Pharaohs of ancient Egypt were believed to be

gods.

Examples of Theocracy throughout history.

The Byzantine Empire was ruled by an emperor who was also head of

the church.

In the Middle Ages, the head of the Catholic Church, the

Pope, ruled extensive territories in Italy.

In early colonial times, Puritan ministers helped govern Massachusetts.

Iran, has both a theocratic and

democratic government. The

President and representatives are elected but

are controlled by the Supreme

Leader.

The Supreme Leader is an Islamic cleric

appointed for life.

“Anarchy” or “Failed State”

• Nobody in charge, only gangs and warlords.• Fueled by drugs or desire to control resources. • Happens when a country collapses.• Example: Somalia, parts of West Africa

Video: Write down 5 NEW things you learn or find interesting as we celebrate our rights and freedom using the following:

The United States Bill of Rightshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8JClfNVhug

1 Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

2 Right to keep and bear arms in order to maintain a well regulated militia.

3 No quartering of soldiers.4 Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.5 Right to due process of law, freedom from self-

incrimination, double jeopardy.6 Rights of accused persons, e.g., right to a speedy and

public trial.7 Right of trial by jury in civil cases. 8 Freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual

punishments.9 Other rights of the people.

10 Powers reserved to the states.