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Types of Government.

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Presentation on theme: "Types of Government."— Presentation transcript:

1 Types of Government

2 Someone has to be in Charge
For most of human history there has been some form of government. Governments are created as a way to order society Provide protection Stabilize commerce Provide national identity The question is “Who is in charge?”

3 Autocracy A government in which one person (or small group of people) has all the power Monarchy - a group, generally a family representing a dynasty that embodies the country's national identity.  The monarch (the head) exercises the role of sovereignty.  One of the oldest forms of government --over 5000 ago Monarchies can be absolute or constitutional Constitutional: bound to exercise their powers and authorities within the limits of an established legal framework  The United Kingdom Absolute: one ruler has supreme authority and where that authority is not restricted by any written laws or customs  Saudi Arabia

4 Autocracy Dictatorship - An authoritarian form of government in which a government is ruled by either an individual or an authoritarian party Dictatorship can exist alongside a constitution All parts of the government serve the dictator As old an the Roman Republic An official is given absolute power over the government for a specific, limited period of time. Current dictatorships Cuba, Syria, North Korea

5 Democracy A government where citizens hold the power.
Representative Democracy- Citizens elect leaders to represent their rights and interests in government. Citizens hold the ultimate authority Free and fair elections Current Representative Democracies The United States, France, Germany

6 Democracy Direct Democracy - Citizens vote directly on issues and directly decide issues. Most countries are too big for this to work Examples: Ancient Athens Current Direct Democracies Two canton’s (states) in Switzerland are the only examples.

7 Other forms Each of these can be seen as variation of the other stated forms. Oligarchy - Rule of the country by a small elite group of people. Similar to a Dictatorship If the group are military officers it is called a “junta” Examples of Oligarchies South Africa (before 1994) White minority population ran the state over black majority Burma (before 2011) Military junta since 1962

8 Other Forms Theocracy - Rule of the country by an ultimate divine authority. Religious law is supreme One religious leader hold all the real power Found in countries that are extremely religious Can exist along side a constitution Can be dictatorial Current Theocracies Iran (Muslim) Vatican City (Christian)

9 What to remember Who rules is key! Autocracy Oligarchy Democracy
Rule of the one Dictatorship Monarchy Oligarchy Rule of the few Junta Democracy Rule by all Direct Democracy Representative Democracy Theocracy Rule of God The Vatican


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