Types of Government Civics Fall 2007

Remember…. Government is the people and institutions with political authority to make, enforce and decide about laws.

Are there differences? Every country in the world has a government They are NOT all alike! Differences include: –How leaders are chosen –How the leaders govern –How much power is held by the people

Let’s take a look at a few…. MONARCHIES Leaders are know as Kings or Queens, Princes or Princesses Two different types of Monarchies:

ABSOLUTE MONARCHIES Called this because they held absolute or total power. Monarchs are usually born into a ruling family Not many left in the world today –Bahrain –Brunei –Kuwait –Oman

Constitutional Monarchies Real power is held by an elected lawmaking body The king or queen serves as a symbol for the country but does not have much real power

AUTHORITARIAN GOV’T’s Rulers answer only to themselves, not the people. The Constitution is not higher law Dictatorship –One person or a small group of people hold all the power –When a small group of people run the government it is sometimes called an Oligarchy Totalitarian –Some dictatorships are considered totalitarian because the ruler attempts to control ALL aspects of citizen’s lives. [Cultural, religious, political and personal activities]

DEMOCRACIES Democracy comes from a Greek word meaning “rule of the people.” Direct Democracy –ALL voters in a community meet in hone place to make laws and decide what actions to take. –This is usually only effective in a small community. Representative Democracy –The people elect representatives to carry on the work of the government for them. –Also called a republic this is the government of the United States

What do Governments Provide? Protection Laws Guarantee Freedoms Services –Education –Police, Firemen –Roads –Money

What’s necessary