1. Xlandia
What is democracy?

2. Defining democracy People choose their representatives in government.
A “Constitutional Democracy” is a government that provides rule by majority and limitations on the power of the majority.
“Republic” -People hold the power
“Republic” is used interchangeably with the terms democracy and representative democracy.

3. Democracies throughout the world

4. Geographic distribution of power
Confederation – power of the federal government is limited. State and local government have a lot of power.
Federalist – a balance of power between state and federal level.
Unitary or Centralist – State and local government are subordinate to federal government.

5. Shared Powers
Shared powers are the overlapping powers and functions among the separate branches of government.

6. Separation of Powers

7. Checks and Balances: No branch can act decisively without the support of another

8. Checks and Balance – each branch can check the other to prevent one branch from having too much power.
Balance of power – each branch depends on the other to accomplish goals.
Express powers – each branch has a specific function with limits power.

9. Authoritarian
Political activity is controlled by a single person or a dominant elite
Power is exercised by political party officials with the support of the military
The military can often expel civilian rulers and institute a temporary military regime
Those who rule cannot be held responsible to the will of the people, and the government is not accountable for its actions
Power groups can also be an association of bureaucrats, religious leaders, or technocrats
The media is subject to censorship Freedom of citizens is restricted
There is no legal opposition to the elite T
The public is not allowed to criticize the government Representative institutions either do not exist or are a formality
Countries: Examples of authoritarian systems in history are Iraq under Hussein, Argentina under Peron, Mexico under Diaz, Spain under Franco, and Zimbabwe under Mugabe.

10. Totalitarian
Power is based upon a dominant leader supported by a mass party
Party actions are based upon an ideology
No opposition parties are allowed
The ruling group controls communication and the media—and controls through communication and the media
Terror is used as a way of controlling people, generally through a secret police
Planning (economic, social, and political) is highly centralized
Religion is controlled, although historic totalitarian groups were fundamentally not religious
The state attempts to control individual behavior, unlike authoritarian systems
All organizations and individuals are subordinated under the ruling group
The state attempts to control the whole society—including minds, bodies, actions, and thoughts—in order to mobilize the population
The economy is controlled, but private enterprise is generally allowed
The system does not evolve into a democracy, and tends to die with its singular leader
Examples of totalitarian systems in history are Germany under the Nazis, Italy under Mussolini, the Soviet Union under Stalin, and the People’s Republic of China under Mao Zedong (and subsequent rulers up to the present).

11. Totalitarian
Examples of totalitarian systems in history are Germany under the Nazis, Italy under Mussolini, the Soviet Union under Stalin, and the People’s Republic of China under Mao Zedong (and subsequent rulers up to the present).

12. Parliamentary System Voters elect the legislature (parliament)
The legislature elects the executive (usually called a prime minister)
The executive is usually the leader of the majority party in the legislature, if a single party dominates the legislative branch; otherwise, the executive is chosen by a coalition of parties within the legislature
The executive chooses a cabinet generally of the majority party leaders
The executive and cabinet are responsible for drafting laws that are then voted on by the legislature
The executive maintains his or her position unless unseated through an election by the legislature

13. Parliamentary Systesm
PROS
CONS
Minimal conflict b/w exec and leg.
Efficiency
Multiple parties
Less effective minority
Coalition governments are notoriously unstable
Countries with Parliamentary system: United Kingdom, France, Japan, India, Germany, Russia, South Africa, and Egypt

14. Citizen Participation
Proportional Representation
Winner-take-all
Compulsory vs. non compulsory voting

15. How can a nation build and sustain democracy?

16. 1) A strong middle class Taxes=caring about government policy
Strong base of support

17. 2) A relatively classless education system
Working class and the poor must have access to education
Literacy increases political opportunity

18. 3) An understanding of democratic principles
This is why you are taking a Gov class

19. 4) A political consensus
The general population must believe that democracy is a good thing
Difficult to force democracy on the unwilling

20. 5) A growing economy Poverty does NOT foster democracy
Democracy is not cheap…it is fairly expensive and inefficient
Access to economic opportunity is an expectation to those living in a democracy.

21. 6) Support from other nations
International aid
Trading preferences: “economic interdependence”
“mentor country”

22. 7) A free press “Watch Dog” function of the press Exchange of ideas
Seeking truth

23. 8) A professional military
Military must serve the people
Does NOT participate in politics
Military leaders are not simultaneously government leaders
Is NOT used as a repressive force against its own citizens