1. We hang the petty thieves & appoint the great ones to public office.
Political Systems
We hang the petty thieves & appoint the great ones to public office.
~Aesop

2. Purposes of Government
Establish Justice
Insure Domestic Tranquility
Provide for the Common Defense
Promote the General Welfare
Secure the Blessings of the Liberty
Laws & punishments are fair & reasonable.
Protect citizens from other citizens.
Protect the country from outside forces.
Provide services for the citizens' benefit.
Protect citizens’ rights including life, liberty, & the pursuit of happiness.

3. Government Authority
Autocracy- authority to rule belongs to a single individual.
Monarchy
An emperor, king, or queen holds the supreme powers of government.
Monarchs achieve their position of authority through inheritance.
Absolute monarchs have complete & unlimited power to rule their people.
Rare today- Vatican City, Brunei, Swaziland, Saudi Arabia, & Oman

4. Government Authority Dictatorship
The leader achieves & maintains authority by the ruthless use of police or military power.
Totalitarian dictators seek to control all aspects of social & economic life.
Government is not responsible to the people, & the people have no power to limit ruler’s actions.
May try to give the appearance of control by the people, i.e. elections with only one candidate.
Any political opposition is suppressed, usually with violence.
Examples: Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Kim Jong Un.

5. Government Authority Oligarchy
Governmental power rests with a small elite segment of society.
The ruling group is distinguished by factors like social position, wealth, military, or religion.
There may be a national assembly representing the people. However, it usually only approves policies & decisions already made by leaders.
As in a dictatorship, oligarchies usually suppress all political opposition.
Communist China, South Africa under Apartheid, Aristocracy in Europe, Myanmar.

6. Government Authority
Democracy- people hold power, leaders rule with consent of the people
Republic
A representative democracy where the people elect representatives who conduct government business.
Representatives are responsible to the people.
An assembly of representatives is called a legislature, a congress, a parliament, etc.
The head of state, a president or Prime Minister, is elected for a specific term to carry out laws.
Most democratic countries are republics.

7. Government Authority Constitutional Monarchy
The monarch is legally restricted within the boundaries of a constitution.
An elected official is the head of government, while the monarch serves as the symbolic head of state.
“A sovereign who reigns but does not rule.”
The authority to make & pass laws resides with an elected assembly, not with the monarch.
The monarch’s role is often ceremonial, but some wield executive power.
Ceremonial: United Kingdom, Sweden, Japan
Executive: Jordan, Thailand, Tonga

8. Characteristics of a Country
A clearly defined territory-
borders (natural & man made).
A permanent population.
Sovereignty
freedom from outside control.
A government.

9. Government Structures
Unitary
The central government holds authority over local governments.
The central government directs policy decisions to local governments to be carried out.
Creates a uniform set of policies and laws.
Works well for small, compact countries.

10. Government Structures

11. Government Structures
Federal System
A union of partially self-governing states under a central government.
Divides powers of government between the central & local governments.
Each level of government has sovereignty in certain areas.
Creates a complex system of local & national laws.
Works well for large, expansive countries.

12. Government Structures

13. Unitary & Federal

14. Government Structures
Confederation
A loose union of independent political units.
The smaller political units keep most of their sovereignty & give the central government only limited powers.
Confederations are established for dealing with critical issues like defense, common currency etc.
Allows several states to cooperate in common concerns but retain their separate identities.
Leaves the central government restricted in its abilities.
Works well for countries with very diverse populations or regions: Switzerland, European Union.

15. Government Structures

16. Country Shape
Compact
Borders are nearly equidistant from the center. (Looks like circle or square)
Advantages: communication & movement easy
Germany, Uruguay

17. Country Shape Fragmented Has pieces not attached to each other.
One part is an enclave (separated from its country by another country).
Malaysia, U.S.

18. Country Shape Perforated
Country has an entire country within its borders.
The country inside is an enclave.
South Africa & Lesotho
Italy, San Marino, & Vatican City

19. Country Shape Prorupted
Country has a "tail" extending from it, usually for access to resources.
Mostly created by colonization.
Thailand, Myanmar

20. Country Shape Elongated Long and skinny Elongated advantages?
Transporting raw materials to center is easier, but people at ends feel isolated.
Chile, Vietnam