Government, Politics, and Democracy
What is government? According to the dictionary: 1. The political direction and control exercised over the actions of the members, citizens, or inhabitants of communities, societies, and states; direction of the affairs of a state, community, etc.; political administration. 2. The form or system of rule by which a state, community, etc., is governed: monarchical government; episcopal government. 3. A branch or service of the supreme authority of a state or nation, taken as representing the whole: a dam built by the government.
Brainstorm with a Partner What is the ideal type of government? What is the role of government? What kind of powers should they have? What should they be able to do/not do?
Governments Throughout History Monarchy: Ruled by an emperor or a king/queen Absolute Monarch: Monarch can do as they please Parliamentary Monarch: Monarch must convene with an elected body Figurehead Monarchs: Monarch has no power, Parliament/Congress is in power.
Governments Throughout History Oligarchy: The minority rule the majority. Examples: Ancient Greece (The educated ruled the non-educated) Apartheid South Africa (the Boers ruled the Natives) Present Day USA?
Governments Throughout History Fascism: The well being of the state is more important than the people. Examples: Nazi Germany Mussolini’s Italy Imperial Japan
Governments Throughout History Communism: Everything is publicly owned. Private ownership is illegal. Examples: The Soviet Union China Cuba
Governments Throughout History Democratic Republic – Officials are elected by the people Examples:
Role of Government in the USA Maintain the national defense Provide goods and services Preserve order Socialize the young Collect Taxes
Theories of American Democracy Pluralist Theory States combine their organizations that have shared interests and influence public policy Group politics Creation of interest groups Examples: National Rifle Association (NRA) and Conservative States National Organization for Women (NOW) and Liberal States
Theories of American Democracy Elite and Class Theory Society is divided between class lines and the upper-class elite control the government Big business influence policy more than the people The wealthy remain in power It doesn’t matter who is in office, corporations have the real power
Theories of American Democracy Hyperpluralism It’s not only the elite. Interest groups are so strong that government cannot act. Interest groups are the master, and the government serves them