Types of Government

Key Terms

autocracy, monarchy, oligarchy, democracy, republic, political party, free enterprise

Find Out

• Why is free enterprise conducive to the growth and preservation of democracy?

• What are the main characteristics of a democracy?

Understanding Concepts

Cultural Pluralism How does a representative democracy provide a good government for diverse peoples?

Section Objective

Summarize the relationship between democracy and free enterprise.

Types of Government

Over 100 million Americans voted in the presidential election of 2000.Yet nearly twice that number were eligible to vote. George W. Bush was elected president with less than 50 percent of the popular vote.

A. Governments may be classified according to who governs the state.

I. Major Types of Government (pages 18–20)

B. In an autocracy, such as a dictatorship or absolute monarchy, power and authority reside in a single individual.

C. In an oligarchy, such as a communist country, a small group holds power in the government.

D. In a democracy, such as the United States, the people hold the sovereign power of government.

I. Major Types of Government (pages 18–20)

Critics argue that the low voter turnout in recent national elections is a weakness in our democratic system. Do you agree or disagree? Explain your viewpoint.

Answers will vary. Students should support their views with thoughtful analysis.

I. Major Types of Government (pages 18–20)

A. Government works to secure an equal opportunity for people to develop their own abilities.

II. Characteristics of Democracy (pages 20–23)

B. Government is based on majority rule through the people’s elected representatives, but respects the rights of minorities.

C. Government is based on free and open elections in which every citizen has the right to vote, every vote has equal weight, and candidates for office can freely express their views.

D. Political parties choose candidates for office, respect the voters’ decisions in elections, and act as loyal opposition.

II. Characteristics of Democracy (pages 20–23)

Why do you think that nations with wide gaps between the rich and the poor are less likely to have successful democracies?

Where there are wide gaps between rich and poor there is less agreement on basic issues.

A. Certain conditions or environments favor the development of the democratic system of government.

III. The Soil of Democracy (pages 23–24)

B. Countries where citizens participate fully in civic life are more likely to maintain a strong democracy.

C. Stable, growing economies with a large middle class help strengthen democracies.

D. A public school system open to all people helps promote democracy.

E. A strong civil society in which a network of voluntary organizations (including economic groups, religious groups, and many others) exists independent of government helps democracy to flourish.

F. The people accept democratic values such as individual liberty and equality for all in a social consensus.

III. The Soil of Democracy (pages 23–24)

III. The Soil of Democracy (pages 23–24)

As a society, what steps do you think we might take to encourage more people to participate in our democratic government?

Better education about democracy, simpler voting methods, or more direct democracy.

1. Main Idea In a graphic organizer similar to the one below, show who rules the state in each of Aristotle’s three classifications of government.

Checking for Understanding

autocracy—one person

oligarchy—few people

democracy—many people

___ monarchy

___ republic

___ free enterprise

___ autocracy

___ oligarchy

A. the opportunity to control one’s own economic decisions

B. a system of government in which a small group holds power

C. a system of government in which the power to rule is in the hands of a single individual

D. autocracy in which a king, queen, or emperor exercises supreme powers of government

E. a government in which voters hold sovereign power; elected representatives, responsible to the people, exercise that power

Checking for Understanding

D

E

A

C

B

Match the term with the correct definition.

3. Identify “one person, one vote.”

Checking for Understanding

This is the principle that everyone’s vote carries the same weight and a characteristic of free elections found in a democracy.

4. What other characteristics of democracy distinguish it from other forms of government?

Checking for Understanding

Answers may include individual liberty, majority rule with minority rights, free elections with secret ballots, and rival political parties.

5. Distinguishing Fact from Opinion Suppose you are assigned to interview the president of the Republic of Mauritania. What questions would help you determine if democracy exists there?

Critical Thinking

Answers may include: How many political parties are there? Do people vote by secret ballot? Do people have equal opportunity to develop talents? How are minority rights protected?

Cultural Pluralism How well are the will of the majority and the rights of minorities being preserved in the United States? Ask several people their opinions. Come to class prepared to share your findings.