1. Government

2. What is Government? Governments decide laws, enforce laws, and usually
People need rules to live together without conflict
Rules and laws are created by governments
Governments provide services through taxes
Governments enforce the laws they create
Governments decide laws,
enforce laws, and usually
provide for common
Defense of the nation.

3. Things in Common
Taxes - most types of governments collect taxes from citizens for services.
Schools and military
Leadership – there is usually an individual or group of people in charge
Laws – all governments have some form of rules or laws
Military – most governments are in charge of forming and maintaining defense forces (Army)

4. Types of Governments There are 5 main types of Governments
Direct Democracy
Representative Democracy
Constitutional Monarchy
Absolute monarchy
Dictatorship

5. Direct Democracy All citizens vote directly on issues
Some towns in New England
Parts of Switzerland
Limited Power

6. Representative Democracy
People vote for leaders who make the laws for them
Voting on candidates not issues
The winner of elections “represents” the people’s wishes
Limited Power

7. Constitutional Monarchy
A monarch (king or queen) inherits right to rule but is limited by laws made by parliament
People vote for leaders who make the laws for them
Voting on candidates not issues
The winner of elections “represents” the people’s wishes
Limited Power

8. Absolute Monarchy
A monarch (king or queen) inherits right to rule and has unlimited power
There is no voting by the people
Laws are decided by King or Queen
Saudi Arabia is an example
Unilimited Power

9. Dictatorship A dictator makes all laws and suppresses any opposition
Dictators sometimes come to power through violence
Usually rule through fear
Limit speech, press, and religions
Answer to no one
Unlimited Power

10. Infamous Dictators Adolf Hitler (Germany) Saddam Hussein (Iraq)
Joseph Stalin (Russia)
Mao Zedong (China)

11. Which type sounds good to you?
Direct Democracy
Representative Democracy
Constitutional Monarchy
Absolute Monarchy
Dictatorship