2. Types of government
Politics and Law 2A

3. Types of Government There are two broad categories: Liberal democratic
AND
Traditional/authority based (Non-democratic)

4. Democratic government
Two types-
Direct- All citizens are leaders, involved in decisions and often chosen by lot. Examples- Ancient Athens
In-direct- Vote for representatives to make decisions. Examples- Australia, UK, USA

5. Democratic government
Free and fair elections
Representative parliaments
Accountable executives
Open participation
Just and equitable legal system

6. Democratic government
Leader- limited power, right to rule comes from the people as they are chosen and removed by them.
People- Individuals are citizens, with human rights(ie/ legal, political and social).

7. Democratic government
The Law-basic principle of the rule of law, law is supreme and there is formal equality before the law. (pg469).
Communication and change-open and society is dynamic.

8. Non-democratic government
The leader- Unlimited power, not accountable to anyone. Right to rule based on- physical power, birth or religious authority.
The people- Individuals are subjects, position in society decided by birth not merit, limited human rights.

9. Non- democratic government
The law- Law is at the will of the leader. Different laws for the rulers, they were above the law.
Communication and change- information controlled, and society static.

10. Examples
Absolute monarch- power based on hereditary right. Saudia Arabia, Monaco (most countries used this system before democracy)
Aristocracy- power is held by an elite section of society. Pre-revolution France

11. Examples
Oligarchy-modern term for aristocracy, often generals and the wealthy, ie South America and Burma.

12. Examples- Dictatorships/ Autocratic
Negative connotations- allows no opposition and rule is unfair/unequal.
Two types- Authoritarian-ie Zimbabwe’s Mugabe
Totalitarian systems- want control on all aspects of life. Ie- Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia, current North Korea.
Read pgs 22/ 23 together.