Systems of Government

• Government is a system of rule.

• The exercise of authority over a state.– Control

– Rule

– Management

Absolute Monarchies

• Government with a hereditary ruler.

• Sole ruler is accountable ONLY to God.

• Absolutism

• Bossuet – said God put Monarchs here, disobedience to a monarch is being disobedient to God.

Examples of Absolute Monarchies

• Russia when they were led by a Czar (Nicholas).

• France – by Louis the XIV

Constitutional Monarchies

• System of government in which a monarch has agreed to share power with a constitutionally organized government.

• The monarch may retain head of state, or be purely a ceremonial head.

Usually limits monarch’s power.

• Monarch is usually a King or Queen.

• Constitution splits the government’s power to the legislature and the judiciary.

Examples

• England – 1700s – under the Stuarts ( James I, etc.)

• Australia, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, Spain and Thailand.

Parliamentary Democracy

• Similar to our three branch system of government.– Executive Branch– Legislative Branch– Judicial Branch

• Two party system used in England 1871-1921

Roots are from British Parliament.

• Winston Churchill – “ Government is a servant to the people and not its master.

• Parliament elects the Head of State.Three branches have the most power.

Examples

• England

• Canada

Presidential Democracy

• System of government in which supreme authority rests with the people.

• Usually have the three branches of government.

• Some call it a representative Democracy.

Good example is U.S.

• Democracy defined :– Demos – people– Kratos – Might

• The people can control elected officials and keep voting in the “good” ones and getting rid of the “bad” ones.

Dictatorship

• Usually ruled by one, usually by strict force and fear.

• Those who rule cannot be held responsible to the will of the people.

• Not accountable for policies.

Might be the oldest form of government.

• Most common form of government seen, especially when there is a military revolt.

• Dictators are authoritarian.

• Absolute and unchallengeable authority.

Examples

• Russia – Lenin and Stalin

• Germany – Hitler

• Italy – Mussolini

• Iraq – Hussein

Theocracies

• Government by those regarded as divinely guided.

• Governments leaders may be clergy, or the state’s may be based on religious law.

• Theocratic rule was a basis for early civilizations.

• The Enlightenment marked the end for Theocracies in most western countries.

Examples

• Saudi Arabia & Iran (present)

• Afghanistan – before War on Terror.

• Church of England – Henry VIII