Chapter 22: Comparative Political Systems Opener

No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said the democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time. -Winston Churchill 1947

Essential Question How should you measure different governments?

Guiding Questions Section 1: Origins of the Modern States On what early political ideas and traditions was modern government founded? Early examples of representative government include the Athenian democracy and the Roman Republic. These governments were followed by feudalism and eventually by powerful monarchies with strong centralized states, national identities, and a need for legitimacy.

Guiding Questions Section 2: Ideas and Revolutions How have some nations expanded popular sovereignty? Great Britain used gradual reforms, France used a violent revolution, Latin American democracies faced continued political and economic instability. Fascist Germany and communist Russia claimed to expand popular sovereignty, but instead enforced one-party rule.

Guiding Questions Section 3: Transitions to Democracy How successfully have some nations achieved democratic government? Some countries achieved formal democracy, others are beginning a slow process of developing democratic systems, and a large group of nations have tried but failed to create working democracies.

Guiding Questions Section 4: Case Studies in Democracy What form does democratic government take in the UK and Mexico? The UK has a unitary, parliamentary government that concentrates power in the legislative branch. Mexico has a federal government with a judiciary, a strong executive, and weak legislature.