1. Forms of Government
CHV20

2. What is a government?
Make and enforce decisions that affect conduct within the group
The governing body of a nation, state, or community.
The system by which a nation, state, or community is governed

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. Examples Castro's Cuba Hitler's Germany Mussolini's Italy
Franco's Spain
North Korea

7. Monarchy -government by a single ruler (king/queen, emperor)
-inherited power
-decision-making is mostly by the ruler rather than the people
-no protection for the people for corrupt rulers

8. Note:
There are 2 types of monarchies:
Constitutional Monarchy:
The ruler is the head of state but his/her power is symbolic. The parliament/prime minister makes/administers decisions for the country. (Canada)
Traditional Monarchy:
The ruler is the head of state and makes all the decisions for his/her state.

9. Drawbacks No criteria (other than birth) for ruling
Expensive (pomp and ceremony)
Removed from everyday experiences
Lack of choice for people
Not representative of all society/community

10. Benefits
Stable
Controlled
Traditional
Unifying

11. Examples
Jordan
Holland
England (also has a parliamentary system)

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

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

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

15. Examples Military juntas (government led by military leaders)
Family compact (Upper Canada pre-1837)
Chateau Clique (Lower Canada pre-1837)

16. Aristocracy
A government in which power is vested in a minority consisting of those believed to be best qualified (privileged upper class)

17. Drawbacks
Restricted criteria for rule (most often birth in a particular social group)
Rule by a limited small group
Limited individual rights

18. Benefits
Organized
Controlled
Efficient

19. Examples
Pre England
Pre Germany

20. Representative Democracy
“Government of the people, by the people, for the people” (Abraham Lincoln)
-decision-making is by elected representatives

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

22. 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

23. Examples
Canada
Costa Rica
Japan

24. Theocracy Government by God government by religious leaders
religious laws may replace modern laws

25. Drawbacks Can lead to conflict Minorities are ignored
Extremism: not in accordance with religious doctrine

26. Benefits
Similar ideas
Traditions are upheld
Leader is usually adored

27. Examples
Vatican City

28. Anarchy absence of any political authority (government)
political disorder and confusion

29. Drawbacks
Standard of living drops
Political disorder
lawless

30. Benefits
people do not have to disagree or dislike the government (they are on their own)

31. Examples
French Revolution 1789–1799
Somalia since 1991

32. Communism government owns everything and is shared equally
state plans and controls economy
distribution of all goods is controlled by the government
in theory, everyone is equal (classless society)

33. Drawbacks
possibility of corruption
no individuality

34. Benefits equal similar ideals
all resources/property are shared equally

35. Examples Cuba – Fidel Castro Russia-
Stalin, Lenin et Kalinin - Russia

36. Note:
A country can exist under more than one category. Canada is both an example of a monarchy (technically a constitutional monarchy) as well as a democracy.

37. Ex of Communism: You have two cows
Ex of Communism: You have two cows. The government takes both and gives you some milk.
Example of Democracy: Everyone has two cows. Each vote and what the majority decides, you must take.