Government

Why we need government: Imagine a society with hundreds of thousands of people and no rules. =en&biw=1280&bih=929&tbm=isch&tbnid=Go z74MUhYRJEXM:&imgrefurl= 4.com/out/ html&docid=- iRdbE1QH3n0YM&imgurl= jpg&w=1920&h=1200&ei=tNSKUKGPH- bC2gXvv4C4BA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=537&v py=610&dur=505&hovh=177&hovw=284&tx= 132&ty=110&sig= &p age=7&tbnh=129&tbnw=186&ndsp=36&ved=1 t:429,r:36,s:200,i:112

Without government: Life would be chaos. Who would establish order? Ensure safety? Manage/resolve conflict?

Governments organize societies Governments run countries. Governments make laws. Governments enforce laws.

Different governing systems… Make and enforce laws in different ways.

4 Major types of Government Democracy Monarchy Dictatorship Oligarchy

Democracy A democracy is a governing system in which the people of the country take part. What do you know about our election process?

Gettysburg Address- primary source “of the people, by the people, for the people” Lincoln means a government created by citizens and run by citizens for the good of citizens.

Democracy Citizens in a democracy vote and are free to choose their government leaders. What needs to happen for a democracy to work well?

Answer People need to stay informed and participate for a democracy to work well.

Ancient Greece Ancient Greeks in the city of Athens formed the first democracy. Direct Democracy Every citizen who had the right to vote could play a direct role in making every decision. How is this different than the U.S.?

Direct Democracy vs. Representative Democracy Direct Democracy: – Not every adult was considered a citizen – Everyone who was allowed to vote could play a direct role Representative Democracy: – Modern day democracy – We vote for a small number of people to represent us in government. – These elected leaders make laws and decisions for their citizens.

In a democracy… Decisions need to be approved by a majority, or most of a group, before the decisions can take effect. What is this called?

Majority Rule: Used to elect leaders Used to make new laws Based on the idea that the judgment of many is better than the judgment of a few.

Democracy is more than a governing system… It is a way of life in which an important idea is that all citizens are equal. As equals: – All citizens in a democracy have certain rights Freedom of speech Freedom of the press Freedom of religion Freedom of assembly In a democracy, these rights can never be taken away, even by the majority.

Democracy in practice Countries highlighted in blue are designated "electoral democracies" in Freedom House's 2010 survey "Freedom in the World". [23] Freedom House considers democracy in practice, not merely official claims.electoral democracies [23]

Today More than a 140 countries in the world have some form of democracy.

Discussion How would you describe democracy?

Other governing systems Most early governments were not democracies. What were they?

Monarchy A governing system in which one person rules. The word monarchy means “rule by one.” In this system a monarch – a king or queen – can make the decisions for all the people.

One person rules? I want that job! How do I become queen?

Well, I’m out of luck! The position of monarch is usually inherited, which means it is passed down within one family.

Monarchy In some monarchies, the rulers have complete control, or absolute monarchy. In others, laws limit their authority. These are called constitutional monarchy.

England At one time, the monarch of England had authority to rule however he or she chose. Then in the year 1215, the ruler at the time, King John, signed the Magna Carta. At one time, the monarch of England had authority to rule however he or she chose. Then in the year 1215, the ruler at the time, King John, signed the Magna Carta.

England and the Magna Carta Listed the rights of England’s upper class Limited the power of the monarchy Today England still has a monarchy, but the monarch’s authority is limited. In addition, England has a democracy with elected leaders who run the country. David Cameron Listed the rights of England’s upper class Limited the power of the monarchy Today England still has a monarchy, but the monarch’s authority is limited. In addition, England has a democracy with elected leaders who run the country. David Cameron

Dictatorship A governing system in which one person claims complete control is a dictatorship. The difference between a monarchy and a dictatorship is that dictators do not usually inherit their authority. Former Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali is pictured in this April 2008 file photo. A Tunisian court Wednesday sentenced Ben Ali to life in prison.

Dictatorship Dictators often take control of the government, often in a sudden and violent way. Former Argentine dictator Jorge Videla listens to the verdict during his trial in a courthouse in Buenos Aires on July 5, Dictators often take control of the government, often in a sudden and violent way. Former Argentine dictator Jorge Videla listens to the verdict during his trial in a courthouse in Buenos Aires on July 5, 2012.

Dictatorship One of the first dictatorships was in ancient Rome. At first, Roman dictators served only briefly during emergencies. Later, they refused to give up their control. Dictators, like monarchs, often rule until their deaths or until they are overthrown.

Oligarchy In the governing system called an oligarchy, a group of people who are not elected by the citizens controls the country. In the ancient Greek city of Sparta the rulers were a group of landowners. In the governing system called an oligarchy, a group of people who are not elected by the citizens controls the country. In the ancient Greek city of Sparta the rulers were a group of landowners.

China Present-day China the group is made up of members of the Chinese Communist party. The people in this group share the same ideas about government and work together to spread their ideas. Present-day China the group is made up of members of the Chinese Communist party. The people in this group share the same ideas about government and work together to spread their ideas. pQQkOoeCj0DOETGvybDFMUZlmbE1jkGg

Discussion How can a country’s government affect the way its people earn a living? How would your life change if you were unable to buy goods produced in other countries?

Summary Types of GovernmentFacts Democracy Monarchy Dictatorship Oligarchy