1. Why do civilizations need a government?
Humans needed the help of one another to survive and prosper, and therefore lived in communities. In order to protect their community and to enforce laws they created a government. The role of government is to protect the lives, liberties (freedoms) and property of members of the community and to provide services that individuals cannot otherwise provide on their own. To exercise authority, governments are given power – the authority to use force.
We will identify and describe limited vs unlimited government and compare the characteristics of the major types of governments. I will be able to add notes, drawings and details to my flipbook about the role of government and the major types of governments.

2. Limited vs Unlimited Governments
Governments are divided into two types…
Limited
Everyone follows the same laws / rules
Citizens have the power and rights
Unlimited
Leader / government can do whatever it wants
Citizens have no/few rights
USA, Great Britain, France
Hitler, Fidel Castro, Stalin
We will identify and describe limited vs unlimited government and compare the characteristics of the major types of governments. I will be able to add notes, drawings and details to my flipbook about the role of government and the major types of governments.

3. Types of Governments Monarchy Democracy & Republic
Ruler inherits power from a parent or other relative.
Ancient times - ruled by “divine right” and most people had no rights or freedoms
Modern times – share power with elected legislature and people’s rights are protected
Can be called Kings, Emperors, Sultans, etc.
Democracy & Republic
Power is based on the will of the people through voting or electing representatives
People enjoy basic rights and the government is limited in what it can and cannot do on behalf of the citizens
There is some type of written laws (i.e. Constitution) that limits what the government can do and it protect the rights of the citizens.
We will identify and describe limited vs unlimited government and compare the characteristics of the major types of governments. I will be able to add notes, drawings and details to my flipbook about the role of government and the major types of governments.

4. Types of Governments Totalitarian / Dictatorship / Tyranny
Dictatorship: a single person has complete control over the country. Power is usually seized through force.
Totalitarian: system where a dictator controls ALL aspects of an individual’s life. You can only belong to one political party, religious group, etc. and the government controls police, military, communications, economy, education, television, radio, newspapers, etc.
All dissent (protests against the government) is suppressed and citizens are often terrorized by secret police. Protesters are often arrested and sent to special labor camps (or face death).
Citizens have very few or no rights while the leader is free to do whatever he/she wants.
We will identify and describe limited vs unlimited government and compare the characteristics of the major types of governments. I will be able to add notes, drawings and details to my flipbook about the role of government and the major types of governments.

5. Types of Governments Theocracy Oligarchy
Government is run by religious leaders and is a very old form of government.
Government leaders claim to be directed by God or divinely blessed. There is no legal separation between church and state, and citizens of other faiths are often excluded or expelled from the country.
Ancient Egypt’s Pharaohs and Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei are examples of this type of government.
Oligarchy
A small group of people rule…either elected, through a relative, or by owning a certain amount of money or land. The rulers are often corrupt and only concerned about gaining more wealth and power for themselves.
The group must meet at scheduled times to decide laws, budget items, appoint judges, etc.
This is good for people who are wealthy but bad for the poor people who do not have a say in the laws.
Ancient Sparta and modern Communist countries (China & Russia) are examples.
We will identify and describe limited vs unlimited government and compare the characteristics of the major types of governments. I will be able to add notes, drawings and details to my flipbook about the role of government and the major types of governments.