Limiting Government Good or bad???

Constitution: the “rulebook” for a government Explains what type of government Explains how government functions Explains how laws are made Explains rights and responsibilities of citizens Most modern countries have written constitutions.

Rule of Law: laws are fair, enforced, and nobody is above the law Everyone must follow rule of law! Government Government leaders President Citizens feel secure if governments cannot do want it wants and procedures are in place to enforce law.

Separation of Power: dividing power among several branches of government No one person or part of government gets too much control “Checks and balances” Each branch is responsible for different government function

Consent of the Governed: citizens of country give their permission to be governed by the country’s government by voting. Citizens have right to vote Voting changes government Voting can change the constitution!

Rights of the Minority: protecting the rights of small or unpopular groups Everyone must be treated fairly Voting = majority rules

Alberto Fujimori 1990 Peru (South America) Constitution a lot like ours: president, congress, judicial system Something happened! Peru had huge financial problems. Fujimori had ideas to make things better

Also had ideas for dealing with terrorists causing problems in Peru Peru’s Congress filled with lawmakers opposed to Fujimori Refused to pass any of his ideas into law April 5, 1992 Fujimori announced on TV he was “temporarily dissolving” Congress and reorganizing the judicial branch. Problem: Peru’s constitution did not authorize him to do this!

Fujimori had a solution for that… Used military tanks and tear gas to keep Congress from meeting Arrested people who disagreed with him Arrested popular journalists and businessmen Just to be safe, arrested previous president too!

Issued a decree (presidential order): constitution could be ignored Eliminated Congress and gave president power to make all the laws Fired half of Peru’s 23 Supreme Court justices Fired judges who believed his actions were unconstitutional

Now in control of Peru’s government No trouble carrying out his ideas Solved financial crisis Successfully dealt with terrorists These actions made him very popular! BUT….

No judicial system = thousands of suspected terrorists murdered without a trial One of Fujimori’s officials smuggled drugs, stole government money, interfered with elections, and sold weapons to terrorists in other countries Fujimori went to Japan to hide from scandal

Opposition gained control Government in Peru was restored Fujimori sentenced to 6 years in prison for abusing his power, 25 years for human rights abuses

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