1. Systems of Government
LT: I can define different types of government systems and demonstrate my understanding of the systems of government by performing a skit that shows key characteristics of one system.
A. Democracy
B. Oligarchy
C. Monarchy
D. Totalitarian
E. Aristocracy
F. Autocracy
G. Republic

2. the governing body of a nation, state, or community
In charge of:
creating and regulating laws
managing the economy
enforcing policies
This can happen in many different ways, with different levels of freedoms.
Not all governments are the same, and some look very different from each other!
Government – What is it?

3. Spectrum of Governmental Power
Autocracy & Aristocracy
(Monarchy & Oligarchy)
Totalitarian (Dictatorship)
Democracy
Republic
Anarchy
Spectrum of Governmental Power

4. Definition: a system of government that is centralized and dictatorial and requires complete subservience to the state
Key features:
an ideology that addresses all aspects of life and outlines means to attain the final goal
a single-party system through which the people are mobilized
Usually led by a dictator
Some sense of terror used to control the people
Historical examples:
Hitler’s Germany
Stalin’s Soviet Union
Mussolini’s Italy
Totalitarian

5. Definition: System of government by one person with absolute power
Key features:
One person in charge who makes all laws and is limited by none
Monarchies are also the rule by one, but usually the next in line to the throne is based on heredity
Historical examples:
Louis XIV (aka the sun king)
Autocracy

6. Definition: Rule by the few (Greek root words: ‘rule by the best’), usually made up of land owning, wealthy, and influential members of society.
Oligarchy is the main type of aristocracy
Historical Example
Sparta (ancient Greek city-state)
Aristocracy

7. Definition: a form of government in which all eligible citizens are meant to participate equally
Key Features:
All eligible citizens help make laws and govern
Simple majorities
Eligible citizens: In ancient Greece, eligible citizens did not mean ‘everybody’. Referred to wealthy, male citizens, who were Greek born.
Historical examples:
Athens
Switzerland
Democracy

8. Republic: system of government where people elect representatives to exercise power for them
What government does the US have?
A Democratic Republic! (we elect people to exercise power for us, but we elect them with a majority vote.)
Anarchy: Absence of government, no government
Republic & Anarchy