1. Comparative Government

2. Essential Questions How is the leader chosen, or how does the leader acquire power? How is the leader chosen, or how does the leader acquire power? Given the manor in which the leader is decided, are they qualified to lead? Given the manor in which the leader is decided, are they qualified to lead? What powers or limits on powers does the leader have? What powers or limits on powers does the leader have? What advantages and disadvantages does each type of government have? What advantages and disadvantages does each type of government have? What opportunities for citizen participation are there in each government? What opportunities for citizen participation are there in each government?

3. Absolute Monarchy Leader is a monarch (king or queen) Leader is a monarch (king or queen) Leader is decided through hereditary lineage (by birth) Leader is decided through hereditary lineage (by birth) Leader is groomed by birth to lead Leader is groomed by birth to lead There is no limit to the monarch’s power, so citizens have no rights There is no limit to the monarch’s power, so citizens have no rights Examples: France until 1789, Russia until 1917, Saudi Arabia today Examples: France until 1789, Russia until 1917, Saudi Arabia today

4. Constitutional Monarchy Head of state is either through hereditary lineage or elected Head of state is either through hereditary lineage or elected Shares power, or is merely a figurehead, with a prime minister Shares power, or is merely a figurehead, with a prime minister Power of monarch is limited by a constitution that gives citizens rights Power of monarch is limited by a constitution that gives citizens rights Examples: United Kingdom today Examples: United Kingdom today

5. Parliamentary Democracy Prime minister is elected to be the head of government Prime minister is elected to be the head of government People elect a legislature which then elects the head of government, so no true separation of powers People elect a legislature which then elects the head of government, so no true separation of powers Leader can be removed for unpopularity with a “vote of no confidence” Leader can be removed for unpopularity with a “vote of no confidence” Power of government is limited through a constitution, so citizens are guaranteed rights Power of government is limited through a constitution, so citizens are guaranteed rights Example: United Kingdom today Example: United Kingdom today

6. Presidential Democracy Leader is popularly elected as president Leader is popularly elected as president Has a complete separation of powers (with checks and balances guaranteeing no part of government gets too powerful) Has a complete separation of powers (with checks and balances guaranteeing no part of government gets too powerful) Leader can be impeached for misconduct (high crimes or misdemeanors) Leader can be impeached for misconduct (high crimes or misdemeanors) Government power is limited by a constitution guaranteeing citizens rights Government power is limited by a constitution guaranteeing citizens rights Example: United States today Example: United States today

7. Dictatorship Leader acquires power through force Leader acquires power through force Has no laws or legally-organized opposition telling the leader what they can do Has no laws or legally-organized opposition telling the leader what they can do Equivalent to a police state Equivalent to a police state Considered exact opposite of a democracy Considered exact opposite of a democracy Involves constant indoctrination through propaganda to erase any potential for dissent Involves constant indoctrination through propaganda to erase any potential for dissent Examples: North Korea today, Cuba today, Iraq under Sadam Examples: North Korea today, Cuba today, Iraq under Sadam

8. Theocracy Leader is either oligarchy or autocracy of ruling priests Leader is either oligarchy or autocracy of ruling priests Government is ruled through religious authority ( This is basically a dictatorship, but the basis of rule is a strict religious command ) Government is ruled through religious authority ( This is basically a dictatorship, but the basis of rule is a strict religious command ) Citizens have no rights that conflict with religious doctrine Citizens have no rights that conflict with religious doctrine Examples: Iran today, the Vatican today, Afghanistan under the Taliban Examples: Iran today, the Vatican today, Afghanistan under the Taliban

9. Totalitarian Governments Totalitarianism Totalitarianism The state controls every aspect of public and private lifeThe state controls every aspect of public and private life The ruler(s) have TOTAL control/powerThe ruler(s) have TOTAL control/power Keep power by disseminating (spreading) propaganda through state- controlled media, restricting free speech, controlling the economy, creating a personality cult, and use of terror tacticsKeep power by disseminating (spreading) propaganda through state- controlled media, restricting free speech, controlling the economy, creating a personality cult, and use of terror tactics

10. Propaganda Propaganda Widespread promotion of particular ideas to further your cause or damage an opposing oneWidespread promotion of particular ideas to further your cause or damage an opposing one Indoctrination Indoctrination The act of teaching particular doctrines, beliefs, or ideas of a party or cultThe act of teaching particular doctrines, beliefs, or ideas of a party or cult

11. Examples of totalitarian states: Examples of totalitarian states: Nazi GermanyNazi Germany Soviet UnionSoviet Union Mao Zedong’s Communist ChinaMao Zedong’s Communist China Khmer Rouge of Pol Pot in CambodiaKhmer Rouge of Pol Pot in Cambodia Saddam Hussein’s IraqSaddam Hussein’s Iraq North Korea today under Kim Jong-IlNorth Korea today under Kim Jong-Il