Governments

Types of Govermnet You can have: Unitary – all power reset with a central authority Federal – a division of power between a central and several local governments. Confederate – loose alliance that give power to a central authority

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 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

Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy Qaboos Bin Said Al Said – Sultan of Oman Imperial household of Japan (ko shitsu) oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world. Akihito. Queen Elizabeth - United Kingdom-constitutional monarchy Sheikh Sabah Al‑Ahmad Al‑Jaber Al‑Sabah. Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy Mswati III of Swaziland, Africa’s last absolute monarch in the world. Cambodia‑Sihamoni Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy

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 Pros – easy, quick to makes big changes Cons – corruption, dissent is not allowed Examples: Former Saddam’s Iraq Zimbabwe Former Nazi Germany Former Libya http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/06/21/the_worst_of_the_worst?page=full Article for the Worst Dictators. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bzWSJG93P8&feature=related Theme for dictator page.

What do you think the colors of the map tell us about government(s) around the world? What do you think each color represents?

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

http://www. foreignpolicy http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/06/21/2010_failed_states_index_interactive_map_and_rankings

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.

Examples of Theocracy throughout history. In the Middle Ages, the head of the Catholic Church, the Pope, ruled extensive territories in Italy. The Byzantine Empire was ruled by an emperor who was also head of the church. Pharaohs of ancient Egypt were believed to be gods. Iran, has both a theocratic and democratic government. The President and representatives are elected but are controlled by the Supreme Leader. In early colonial times, Puritan ministers helped govern Massachusetts. The Supreme Leader is an Islamic cleric appointed for life.

“Anarchy” or “Failed State” http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/06/21/2010_failed_states_index_interactive_map_and_rankings Failed state interactive website. 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

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

Democracy Government 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. There are two types that we see: Direct Democracy Representative Democracy/ Indirect Democracy

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. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6i6JBIbuyc&NR=1

Representative Democracy/ Indirect 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.

Direct Democracy - in which citizens have direct and active participation in the decision making of the government. Representative Democracy - citizens remain the sovereign power but political power is exercised indirectly through elected representatives.

Basic Concept of Democracy A recognition of the fundamental worth and dignity of each person A respect for the equality of all person Majority rule and Minority rights Necessity of compromise Individual Freedoms

What is Democracy? Translate each quote into your own words: “The basis of a democratic government is liberty.” “Government of the people, for the people, by the people.” “ I believe in democracy because it releases the energies of every human being.” “ I believe that one day my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, bt by the content of their character.”

Alexis de Tocqueville Alexis de Tocqueville was a French political philosopher. Only 26 years old, he was discouraged with the political corruption in France and intrigued with the notion of American democracy. He wore a book, Democracy in America, which was the first impartial study of political institutions in the new nation.

He spent 9 months traveling throughout the U. S. visiting 17 states He spent 9 months traveling throughout the U.S. visiting 17 states. Along the way he met the President Jackson and some of the most influential thinkers in US politics. His biggest worry was majority rule. His own country had been through the French Revolution He had every right to worry - majority rule went with slavery in the 1830s He visited in 1831 – during Nat Turner slave rebellion which challenged the institution of slavery and launched the abolition movement in the U.S.

In his book Demcoracy in America, de Tocqueville described the challenges and opportunities facing our political system

Democracy What opportunities does democracy provide? Life and Equality What challenges does democracy face? Tyranny of the majority

Since 1830s, what other groups have acquired the right to vote Liberty and Equality Tocqueville visited the U.S. just after Andrew Jackson was elected president. For the first time in modern history, the average white man with out property was allowed to vote. This was not allowed anywhere in Europe, not even England Since 1830s, what other groups have acquired the right to vote

Race In the 1830s, African- Americans certainly had no librrty or equality. Slavery existed side by side with democracy. Slavery and race relations had an impact on every aspect of life, law an society in the Untied States. To what extent did slavery live up to the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence? In the 1830s, slavery set the stage for race relations for all people in the U.S. Is this still true today?

Majority Rule In the 1830s the majority decided there was nothing wrong with slavery. While we believe in majority rule, we also understand Tocqueville's “main fear” Tyranny o the Majority

If Alexis de Tocqueville were in to visit the U. S If Alexis de Tocqueville were in to visit the U.S. today, who would he talk to about the American political system? Think political, think republican, democrats, media What topics do you think he would be concerned with in this time period?