Chapter Two A Tradition of Democracy Foundations of Government ~~~~~ Why Americans Have Governments

The U.S. Government 1. System of Laws and Authority 2. Protects our rights 3. Safeguards our freedoms

Shaping Government Differences Governments differ in … 1. the way their leaders are chosen 2. the amount of power held by the people Governments shaped by … 1. the beliefs of the people 2. the history of the people

Types of Governments Nondemocratic Governments the citizens do not have the power to rule Democratic Governments the citizens have the power to rule

Monarchy A form of government in which the power is held by a king, queen, or other monarch. Absolute or Constitutional Dictatorship A form of government in which all power is in the hands of one person or a small group of people. Dictator or Oligarchy Theocracy A form of government controlled by one or more religious leaders who claim to rule on behalf of God or gods. Nondemocratic Governments

Democracy A form of government in which the people of a country either rule directly or through elected representatives. Direct or Representative U.S. Government = Republic (Representative Democracy) Democratic Governments

Authoritarian = Controlled by rulers that answer only to themselves. Totalitarian = Form of government that has total control over the lives of the people. ~~~~~ Direct Democracy = A form of government in which all the people meet together at one place to make laws and decide what actions to take. Representative Democracy (Republic) = A form of government in which the people elect representatives to carry on the work of government for them.

Purposes of Government 1. Helping People Cooperate 2. Providing Services 3. Providing Laws

Purposes of Government 1. Helping People Cooperate a means for people to unite better protection against enemies necessary and useful makes life safer and easier

Purposes of Government 2. Providing Services enable large groups of people to get demanding jobs done jobs more difficult and expensive for any person to do tasks difficult or impossible for individual citizens to provide for themselves

Purposes of Government 3. Providing Law help them live together in peace know what they may and may not do prevent disagreements to guide and protect everyone

Laws = Rules of conduct enforced by government. Constitution = A written plan of government.

Purpose of the U.S. Government Guarantee Citizens’ Freedoms people should rule themselves each person is important no one should be denied their rights

Safeguarding Liberties protected by constitutions and laws