1. Compare and Contrast Governments
What is Government?
S. Thomas
6th Grade Social Studies

2. The Standard
SS6CG4 – The student will compare and contrast various forms of government.
(b) - Explain how governments determine citizen participation: autocratic, oligarchic, and democratic.

3. Vocabulary Time!!!
Government - is a body that has the power to make and enforce laws within an organization or group
Distribute – to divide among many
Citizen Participation – the way in which a person is involved in their country’s government
Power – possession of control, authority, or influence over others
Central or Regional Government – types of governments in a country; central – can be large and regional – can be small

4. Who Drives the “Auto”? Autocratic Government
Definition – a government ruled by ONE person
Type of Rule - Single ruler: has wealth, and/or military strength
Who Holds The Power – Ruler has UNLIMITED power
Who Can Be Elected – NO ONE: citizens have no choice in selecting their leader
Who Can Vote – NO ONE: elections NOT held cause citizens CANNOT vote

5. Low or No Participation
Visual of Autocratic!!!
High Participation
Citizen Participation
Government Power
Low or No Participation

6. “Oli…,” Huh! Oligarchic Government
Definition – a government ruled by a small group of people
Type of Rule – small group of people: have wealth, military strength, and/or lots of land
Who Holds The Power – the group only answers to each other
Who Can Be Elected – NO ONE: the group chooses the leader
Who Can Vote – Rarely are elections held; usually one person on ballot from the group who rules

7. Low or No Participation
Visual of Oligarchy!!!
High Participation
General Citizens’ Participation
Government Power
Select Citizens’ Participation
Low or No Participation
Oligarchic

8. We Got The POWER!!! Democratic Government
Definition – a government ruled by the people
Type of Rule – country is ruled by leaders who are chosen by the people
Who Holds the Power – the citizens of the country (those who vote)
Who Can Be Elected – ANY ONE (some restrictions are age, criminal record, not a citizen, etc)
Who Can Vote – ANY ONE (some restrictions are age, criminal record, not a citizen, etc)

9. Visual of the Democratic!!
High Participation
Government Power
Citizen Participation
Low or No Participation
Democracy