Chapter Two, Section One “Why Americans Have Government”
Types of Government Every country in the world has their own type of government. Each country’s government is unique and varies widely across the globe. Each country’s government has been shaped by traditional beliefs of its people and by its history.
Types of Government Governments fall into two main different categories: – Nondemocratic governments – Democratic governments
Nondemocratic Governments A monarchy is a type of government where a king or a queen, called a monarch, rules over a kingdom or empire. Many times monarchies can be non-democratic. – (Morocco, Sweden)
Nondemocratic Governments An autocracy is a type of government with complete and absolute power. There are different kinds of autocracies.
Types of Autocracies An absolute monarchy is where a person assumes complete power by being born into the family of rulers A dictatorship is usually where a military leader takes power by force. (can get power other ways) Oligarchy few people have the power to run the country
Nondemocratic Governments A theocracy is a type of government controlled by one or more religious leaders Ex: Vatican City
Lack of Government…… Anarchy is the absence of any type of government.
Systems Socialism is an economic system where the government owns many of the means of production and charges higher taxes to operate them (Denmark, Canada, France, United Kingdom) Communism is an economic system where the government owns all means of production and no private ownership is allowed. (modern example: North Korea) (historic examples, USSR, Cuba, “Red” China)
Democratic Governments In a “democracy,” the people of a nation either rule directly or elect officials who act on their behalf. – United States, Greece, & Brazil
Democratic Governments The word “democracy” comes from the ancient Greek term meaning “rule of the people”. There are two forms of democracy.
Direct Democracy Direct democracy All voters meet in one place to make all the laws Why is this not practical in most places today?
Representative Democracy Representative democracy exists when the people elect representatives to carry on the work of gov’t for them. – Ex: United States This is also known as a Republic
Purpose of Government 1 - Helping People Cooperate – Helps us live peacefully. 2 - Providing Services – each level of government: local, state, federal has to provide services for the people. – Example: Education – our state governments have create public school systems to educate our children. – Can you name other services? 3 - Providing Laws 4 - Plan for the Future