World

Governments
 Think about it:
What is government and
why do we have it?
Government is all about
POWER!
• Who has the
power?
• What can/can’t
they do with that
power?
Systems of government =
how power is split among
people and rulers
 Social Contract Theory
Gov’t

Replace or Overthrow
Misuse of Power

Give Protection
Power of Rights

People
 Categories of Government
 There are 3 basic categories of
government:
1. Autocracy – ruled by 1 person
2. Oligarchy – ruled by a small group
3. Democracy – Majority rules
 Absence of government = anarchy
 Example: Somalia in the 1990s
There are TWO types of
governments:
1. Limited: power of the Head of
State is limited and peoples’ rights
are protected.
2. Unlimited: power of the Head of
State is not limited. The peoples’
rights are not protected, but are at
the will of the leader.
 What is a citizen?
 Definition: a native or naturalized
member of a state or nation who owes
allegiance to its government and is
entitled to its protection
 How do you become a citizen?
 Born in a country
 Go through the citizenship process (varies
by country)
 What is the role of citizens in the
government?
Major World
Government
Types
 Absolute Monarchy
 Ruled by a king, queen, or emperor
 Their rule is inherited (passed down)
 EXAMPLE: Saudi Arabia

King Prince

 Limited or Unlimited?
 Constitutional Monarchy
 Ruled by a king, queen, or emperor– only
a figure head or symbol for the country
 Their rule is inherited.
 Part of a political system that has a
constitution (formal plan of government)
 EXAMPLE: Japan
Emperor
& Empress

 Limited or Unlimited?
 Parliamentary Democracy
 Led by a Prime Minister
 Citizens vote for
representatives of a political
party in parliament.
 The parliament majority
party appoints a prime
minister.
 Elections can be called at
any time.
 EXAMPLES: India & South
Africa India's Prime Minister

 Limited or Unlimited?
Presidential Democracy
 Led by a President
 Chosen by an electoral
college or a direct
popular vote by the
people
 Elections are held at a
certain interval of time
President Obama  EXAMPLES: USA,
France, & South Korea

 Limited or Unlimited?
 Republic
 Any form of government whose leader or
leaders are elected, usually for a specific term
of office.
 Led by elected official(s) – Titles vary
 Example: Ancient Rome

 Limited or Unlimited?
 Communism
 Led by a Premier or
President
 Leader is appointed
through the one-party
system
 Members all belong
to one-party and are
appointed up through
the system.
Premier Mao Zedong
 EXAMPLE: China

 Limited or Unlimited?
 Military Dictatorship
 Ruled by a general or President
 Ruling person or group usually takes
control by force, but some are appointed
through the ruling system.
 EXAMPLES: North Korea

Military Dictator

 Limited or Unlimited?
 Theocracy
 Led by a religious ruler- priest or other
representative of a “higher power”
 Leader is appointed or said to be chosen
by God or another “higher power”
 Laws are based on the chosen religion
 EXAMPLE: Iran
President and Supreme Ruler

 Limited or Unlimited?
Review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyTbyn7npOc
Political Systems Explained...

...using Cows!