1. Government
Mullin

2. Geographic Regions
Represent great clusters of common human activity or common physical characteristics.
Physical / Natural Characteristics
Landforms, Climate, Vegetation
Human / Cultural Characteristics
Government, Religion, Ethnicity, Population, Disease
May change over time

3. Geographic Regions Do NOT have definite borders
May differ based on point of view
Separated from other regions by transition zones

4. Transition Zones Edges of regions
An area of constant change where two adjacent regions join
Marked by a gradual shift (rather than a sharp break) in the characteristics that distinguish neighboring regions
Area of mixed characteristics; possible tension between culture groups
 Example: Muslims versus Hindus in Pakistan and India.

5. Video Clip: Gandhi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4DTX5JPgKc
Look at who is being separated….are they getting along? Do they want to be separated?

6. Sub-Regions
All regions can be divided into physical features and human characteristics
Example: United States’ sub-regions may include:
Northeast, Midwest, South, North, West Coast
Metropolitan and Suburban areas= human (cultural) properties
Physical Regions (Rocky Mountains, Great Lakes)
Texas Example:, Piney Woods, West Texas, The Valley, Coast, East Texas, Panhandle
Region and sub-region boundaries are based on criteria we establish

7. Political Geography and Gov
What is Political Geography? The study of government systems from around the world.
What is Government? An organization that people set up to protect their community and to enforce its rules.

8. Roles of the Gov To protect life To protect liberty
To protect the property of members of the community
To provide goods that the people cannot provide on their own

9. Borders
Political Borders – determined by government and are artificial (imaginary lines)
Example: North and South Korea
Natural Borders –created by physical characteristics that divide one place from another.
Example: Rio Grande River (Mexico and US)

10. Video
30 minutes

11. What are nations and states?
State – an independent unit that occupies a specific territory and has full control of its internal and external affairs. Sometimes called “country” .
Nation – people w/ a common culture living in a common territory and having a strong sense of unity
Nation State – when a nation and a state occupy the same territory
Stateless Nation - some groups have a common nationality but no territory
Stateless-nation Example: Palestinians, Kurds

12. Monarchy Ruled by a monarch headed by a King or Queen (the title).
The ruler inherits their power - when the ruler dies, power is passed to one of the monarch’s children or close relative.
These monarchs (kings, sultans, emperors) surround themselves with followers and advisors who help them govern.
Pros – ______________
Cons – Limits on ______________

13. Constitutional Monarchy
Monarchs share power with an representative legislature
Parliament
Usually the monarch serves as a symbolic head of state while elected members of Parliament govern the country.
Example: United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Jordan

14. Video Clip

15. Republic A republic is a government without a king or a queen.
Usually when a country overturns its monarchy it will become a republic.
Republics can be democratic, theocratic, or parliamentary.
An example would be the United States, which is a Democratic Republic

16. Democracy Government authority is based on the will of the people.
People either vote on issues directly, or they elect representatives who make government decisions for them.
People have certain rights – whereas they can criticize the government freely.
Types: Direct Democracy, Representative Democracy, Modern Democracies

17. Direct Democracy
The very first known democracy was in ancient Greece in the 5th Century BCE.
Democracy is Greek for “people power”.
Citizens assembled to make decisions for their city- states.
They voted on these issues directly. This is where the term direct-democracy evolved from.

18. Representative Democracy
It is a democracy where different social groups elect their own representatives, who then met in assemblies.
Nobles were represented in the Senate
Government power was divided between two branches and voting was on various issues.
Romans were the first to develop the representative democracy.

19. Dictatorship One individual holds complete political power
The leader either seizes control by force or is placed into a position of authority by others
The citizens have little influence over governmental policy and do NOT have the right to choose their own leaders
If a small group holds the power, called an “oligarchy”
Pros – easy, quick to makes big changes
Cons – corruption, dissent is not allowed

20. Activity Government Comparison Chart
Completed in class over the next two days.
Stations are timed.
Rotate every 10 minutes.
Due end of next week.

21. Totalitarianism
A form of dictatorship that seeks to control all aspects of social life within a country
This control extends to the public life, private life, communications, economy and government system.
Government also controls television, radio, and newspapers.
Censor of books and articles that criticize the government
No separate political parties, labor unions, or other organizations are allowed.
Government either controls or prohibits all social and religious groups.

22. Chinese Censorship http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeFzeNAHEhU

23. Communism
The government plans and controls the economy and a single - often authoritarian
party holds power
The elimination of private/individual ownership of property or capital
Example: Cuba, People’s Republic of China, North Korea
Pros – Classless Society
Cons – lack of Freedom

24. Video Clip

25. Theocracy
Government run by spiritual leaders. It is an old form of government, like a monarchy.
Government claims to be directed by God or divinely blessed.
No legal separation between church and state
Citizens of other faiths are often excluded or expelled.
Ancient times rulers were often priests.

26. Anarchy of Failed State
No one in charge, only gangs and warlords.
Fueled by drugs or desire to command resources.
Happens when a country collapses.
Example: Somalia, parts of West Africa

27. Activity
Complete Gov Comparison Chart.
Due at end of class.

28. 9/11