Unit 10
Types of Government
Vocabulary Termsgovernmentpowermonarchy“divine right” theoryabsolute monarchyLouis XIVconstitutional monarchyrepublicThomas Jeffersondemocracy
direct democracyrepresentative governmentdictatorshipIdi Amin DadaRobert MugabeJoseph Stalintotalitarianismtheocracysupreme leaderoligarchy
Essential Question
What is the best form of government?
What is Government?Government – the organization that
people set up to protect their community and to enforce its rulesRole of government is to protect
the lives, liberties, and property of members of the community
Governments also provide services that individuals cannot provide on their own
Governments are given power – the authority to use force – to exercise authority
Types of GovernmentMonarchy – rulers inherit
power; when a ruler dies, power automatically passes from one of the monarch’s children or close relativesOldest form of government
Monarchs (kings, emperors, sultans) surround themselves with followers and advisors who help them govern
Types of GovernmentAbsolute monarchy
Kings or queens claimed to have absolute power
This power was often claimed to be granted by “divine right”Divine right theory – belief that a king
is God’s deputy on Earth, and that royal commands express God’s wishes
Ordinary people had no rights or freedoms except those allowed by the monarch
Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE, are the only absolute monarchies remaining in the world (most are transitioning)
Types of GovernmentConstitutional monarchy
Shares power with an elected legislatureMonarch rules as the symbolic head
of state, while the elected members of Parliament govern the country
ExamplesGreat Britain – hereditary monarch,
elected House of CommonsJapanKuwait
Types of GovernmentRepublic
Power is held by the people and the representatives they electThese elected representatives make decisions for
the people based on their wants and needsGovernment without a king or queenExamples
Roman Republic (509 BC – 27 BC)The United States of America (established in 1776)South Sudan (established in 2011)
Types of GovernmentDemocracy – government authority is
based on the will of the peoplePeople are guaranteed certain basic
rights, and are granted the freedom to criticize the government freely
Direct democracyPeople vote on issues directly Developed in ancient Athens in the
5th century B.C., as citizens of ancient Athens assembled to directly make their decisions regarding the city-state
Types of GovernmentRepresentative democracy
Developed by the ancient Romans
Different social groups elected their own representatives, who met in assemblies, while the nobles met in the Senate
Government power was divided between two branches, who voted on various issues
Types of GovernmentLater democracies
Various countries developed their own national assemblies England – land owners elected representatives to
the House of Commons, one of two chambers of Parliament
United States of America – each colony had its own colonial legislature; following independence in 1776, representatives are elected to Congress, either in the House of Representatives or the Senate
Latin America – after achieving independence from European powers in the late 19th century, several countries became democracies
Europe – many countries became democracies following World War I
Asia – many countries became democracies following World War II
Africa – in 1957, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to become a democracy
Types of Government Dictatorship
An individual leader or political party enjoys great power and total control over the citizens
Seizes control by force or is placed into a position of authority by others
Since 1945, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa have been common areas for military dictatorships, as the military sometimes seized power and established a dictatorshipUganda – Idi Amin Dada became a brutal military dictator while
serving as president from 1971-1979Zimbabwe – although Robert Mugabe was elected to power, he
quickly became a dictator who blocked his opponents from voting Iraq – Saddam Hussein (ruled 1979-2003) was known for torturing
those who spoke out against him and for invading neighboring countries to increase his own wealth and power
Chile – Augusto Pinochet (ruled 1973-1998) seized power from the democratically elected president, who died under mysterious circumstances, and was known for killing and torturing his enemies
Types of GovernmentDictators are free to do as they please, while other citizens
have few rights and very little influence over the governmentDecisions can be made quickly under the rule of a dictator
Ancient Romans used to appoint dictators when they were at war and needed strong leadership
When the war was over, the dictator was supposed to give up his power
Modern-day dictators tend to hold on to power until they are overthrown
Sometimes dictators hold elections to obtain legitimacy for their governmentWhile an election victory might justify the rule of the
dictator, it is often times not the will of the people, as there are no opposition parties and people are afraid to criticize the ruler
Types of GovernmentTotalitarianism
System of government in which the government controls all aspects of individual life (total control)People can only belong to organizations controlled by the government – this means no separate political parties, labor unions or other organizations are allowed
The government controls or prohibits all churches and religious groups
Types of GovernmentModern dictators
Adolf Hitler – GermanyGerman politician and leader of the Nazi Party, whose foreign policy caused the onset of World War II
Responsible for the genocide of 6 million Jews and millions of others whom he deemed to be “inferior”
Types of GovernmentJoseph Stalin – Soviet UnionCommunist dictator who replaced Lenin in 1924 as the leader of the Soviet Union
Turned the Soviet Union into a totalitarian state
Anyone who opposed him was sent to icy gulags (prisons) in Siberia
Types of GovernmentMao Zedong – China
Ruled from 1949-1976Highly controversial
figure – supporters credit him with modernizing China and increasing its world influence, while critics believe him to be a dictator who oversaw human rights abuses through starvation and forced labor
Types of GovernmentTheocracy
Government run by religious leadersThe government claims to be directed by God, or
divinely blessedNo separation of church and state, and citizens of
other faiths are often excluded or expelledEarly theocracies
Pharaohs of ancient EgyptEmperor of the Byzantine EmpirePope over territories in ItalyPuritan ministers in colonial Massachusetts
Types of GovernmentIran’s Theocracy
Muslim leaders seized power in Iran in 1979The Iranian constitution emphasizes the
importance of religion and Islamic law (Sharia)
Iran is considered to be a “theocratic republic”, as voters elect the President and representatives to the legislature
HOWEVER…these officials answer to the Supreme Leader, who is the religious leader of the country, and is the head of the government (even above the president)
The Supreme Leader (Ayatollah) interprets religious law, can dismiss the President, and can declare war
Currently is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Types of GovernmentOligarchy – means “to rule or to command”; power
rests with a small group of people who could be distinguished by royalty, wealth, family ties, education, corporate, or military controlRussian Federation (1991-present) – many Russian
producers in the areas of natural gas, petroleum, and precious metals are seen as oligarchs (possessing great wealth and political influence)
South Africa (1948-1994) – system of apartheid (racial segregation) enforced by the government, which kept the rights of the black majority curtailed and allowed the white minority greater rights and freedoms
United States Supreme Court – All of the current 9 justices are alumni of Harvard or Yale law schools