CHAPTER 15: COMPARATIVE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS

Section 1: Democratic Governments

Section 2: Authoritarian Governments Section 3: Economic Systems 1

SECTION 1: DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS

  Democratic Systems •  Governments categorized by how governmental power is distributed •  Authoritarian government: power is held by single leader or small

group •  Democracy: power is held mostly by people (voters)

–  Democracy can be either presidential or parliamentary system –  Democracies have social welfare policies to improve lives of citizens –  Democracies protect basic human rights –  Democracies can withstand major crises

Mexico and Brazil

  Mexico and Brazil are both democracies with a presidential system of government.

  Mexico’s Government   The Three Branches

•  Similar to United States: three branches of government; different in that three-fifths of legislature is elected; remaining seats distributed to major parties in proportion to votes received

  Politics and Economy

•  PAN party has won last two presidential elections 2

SECTION 1: DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS

  Brazil’s Government   Three Branches

  Similar to United States: three branches of government; different in that its judicial system has two Supreme Courts

  Politics and Economy   Four major political parties

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SECTION 1: DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS   The United Kingdom and Japan

  The United Kingdom and Japan are both democracies with a parliamentary system of government.

  The United Kingdom’s Government Constitutional monarchy •  Parliament made up of two houses; seats held by members of several

parties; members must form coalition •  Leader of majority party is prime minister

  Japan •  Japan’s government is unitary with bicameral legislature—the Diet •  Head of state is emperor; largely ceremonial position

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SECTION 1: DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS

 Emerging Democracies

 Latin America

 Several countries, such as Argentina and Chile, have moved toward establishing constitutional democracies.

  Africa

  Many countries are struggling to establish democracies. South Africa ended apartheid and established a democracy in the early 1990s.

  Asia

  Many countries are struggling to make the transition from colony to democracy. Cambodia has overcome a violent transition to become a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament.

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SECTION 2: AUTHORITARIAN GOVERNMENTS

  Authoritarian Systems

  Types of Authoritarian Systems •  Theocracy: religious leaders rule government

•  Dictatorship: most common type of authoritarian government

•  Totalitarianism: government controls nearly all aspects of life

  Features of Authoritarian Systems •  Civil rights not recognized

•  Force used to put down opposition

•  Governments not limited by law

•  Governments can make rapid changes to society

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SECTION 2: AUTHORITARIAN GOVERNMENTS

•  The Soviet Union and China

•  The Soviet Union and China

•  After leading overthrow of Russia’s ruler (czar), Vladimir Lenin established Soviet Union

•  Lenin believed in communism, economic and political system in which government owns all property and plans economy

•  Government power not limited by new constitution

•  Stalin worked toward making Soviet Union into totalitarian state

•  China

•  China after Mao Deng Xiaoping brought economic, political reforms

•  China’s Government Today Chinese Communist Party (CCP) rules; Central Committee of CCP elect members of Politburo

•  Two entities make up government

– State Council has most power

– National People’s Congress

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SECTION 2: AUTHORITARIAN GOVERNMENTS

•  Other Authoritarian Nations •  Chile Currently democratic, with several past periods of violent

authoritarian governments •  Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany Italy’s Benito Mussolini promoted

fascism, which glorifies the state over individual needs; in WW II, Mussolini allied with Germany’s Adolf Hitler

•  Saudi Arabia Led by monarch who must follow the Qur’an; government spends heavily on social program and military; Saudi Arabia one of strongest U.S. allies in Middle East

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SECTION 3: ECONOMIC SYSTEMS

  Making Economic Decisions •  Basic Factors of Production

—  Land, natural resources —  Labor —  Capital

•  Basic Economic Questions —  What should be produced? —  How should it be produced? —  For whom should it be produced?

•  Basic Types of Economies —  Traditional —  Market —  Command —  Mixed

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SECTION 3: ECONOMIC SYSTEMS

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SECTION 3: ECONOMIC SYSTEMS

  Mixed Economies   Capitalism

  Capitalism is an economic system in which people and businesses make most economic decisions.

  Capitalism in Theory

  Adam Smith wrote The Wealth of Nations, in which he defined the concept of laissez-faire (“to let alone”).

  Capitalism in Practice

  Governments are involved in the regulation of economies of capitalist countries, to encourage job creation, economic growth and justice.

  Recent Developments

  Recently many capitalist countries have reduced the involvement of their governments in their economies.

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SECTION 3: ECONOMIC SYSTEMS

  Socialism

  Socialism is an economic and political system in which the state controls most of the productive resources.

  Marx and Socialism

  Karl Marx argued that the proletariat was treated unfairly by the bourgeoisie. He believed that capitalism focused too much on profit.

  Socialism and Democracy

  Most socialist democracies provide services, such as retirement, and control industries, such as transportation.

  Advantages and Disadvantages

  Critics argue that socialism discourages innovation; advocates argue that it is fairer than capitalism.

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SECTION 3: ECONOMIC SYSTEMS

  Communism •  In communist society, government controls all aspects of politics and

economy

•  Marx and Communism Marx believed that proletariat would rise against bourgeoisie, creating classless society

•  The Soviet Union Soviet leaders adopted many of Marx’s ideas; resulted in military becoming powerful, but economy become weak

•  China After China began giving businesses more power, economy began to grow; now has powerful economy

•  Advantages and Disadvantages:

—  Allows economy to grow quickly

—  Results in poor product quality

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