1. Forms of Government
CHV20

2. What is government?
Government is made up of the people and institutions put in place to run or govern a country, state, province, territory or community.
The role of government is to make decisions and enforce laws for the people it is responsible for.
The purpose of government is to protect its citizens and provide services.

3. How do governments compare?
Governments around the world differ from one another and they can be compared by considering the following questions:
Who has access to power?
How do those leaders get to be in power?
What types of rights and freedoms are given to citizens?

4. Dictatorship
government that has seized power by force (often through military coup)
power in the hands of one individual
leader can make quick decisions (does not worry about being re-elected)
the leader does not always act in the best interest of its’ people

5. Drawbacks Limited individual rights
Usually dependent on support of military
No debate or discussion
Dependent on single individual
No free press; no opposition parties
People’s opinions are ignored
Any laws can be created
Ideas are limited to one person

6. Benefits Organized and controlled Efficient (sometimes ruthlessly so)
No public protests, riots
United (people may be loyal since there is no competition)

7. Examples
Historical
Modern
North Korea
Cuba
Syria

8. Oligarchy Government by few persons
These people could be distinguished by royalty, wealth, family ties, education, corporate, or military control

9. Drawbacks Limited access to power Limited rights for people
Questionable transition of power
Needs of the lower classes are often ignored
Similar to dictatorship

10. Benefits Stable Organized Controlled decision-making can be quick
in theory, intelligent people
all members work together

11. Examples Historical Modern China (Chinese Communist Party)
Venezuela
Pre-1994 South Africa (Apartheid)

12. Representative Democracy
A democracy = all citizens have access to power.
Power is shared by all citizens and a majority of the population is included in political decision-making.
Citizens elect people to represent them in government and make decisions on their behalf. This is called a representative democracy.
Citizens may choose to run for political office.
The people have protected rights and freedoms.

13. Drawbacks Takes more time to make decisions More costly
Elected Representatives may not support/like the prime minister

14. Benefits Protects individual rights
Input from many sources into government decisions
People are the government
Peoples voices are heard
Elected representatives understand they need to be re-elected
Diverse representatives

15. Examples Dark Green = Most Democratic Countries Great Britain Canada
Australia