Lesson: 4.1 Compare citizenship in the American constitutional democracy to membership in other types of
governments (rights to privacy, civil liberties, political and religious rights)
Intro: Discussion (5m) List one freedom/right/responsibility you feel you would most miss if you moved to another
country.
Notes: Types of Government (20min) – spoke and wheel pictograph. For each definition listed create a spoke and wheel
diagram with a picture bubble at the end of each spoke that represents each different type of government.
Research Project: Students will perform research using two web based resources: CIA World Factbook and Amnesty
International Webpage to complete the following handout below.
Types of Governments
Governments can be classified into several types. Some of the more common types of governments are:
1. Democracy
The word "democracy" literally means "rule by the people." In a democracy, the people govern.
2. Republic
A literal democracy is impossible in a political system containing more than a few people. All "democracies"
are really republics. In a republic, the people elect representatives to make and enforce laws.
3. Monarchy
A monarchy consists of rule by a king or queen. Sometimes a king is called an "emperor," especially if there is
a large empire, such as China before 1911. There are no large monarchies today. The United Kingdom, which
has a queen, is really a republic because the queen has virtually no political power. Most “monarchies” today
are “Constitutional Monarchies” meaning they are governed through a written rule of law.
4. Aristocracy
An aristocracy is rule by the aristocrats. Aristocrats are typically wealthy, educated people. Many monarchies
have really been ruled by aristocrats. Today, typically, the term "aristocracy" is used negatively to accuse a
republic of being dominated by rich people, such as saying, "The United States has become an aristocracy."
5. Dictatorship
A dictatorship consists of rule by one person or a group of people. Very few dictators admit they are dictators;
they almost always claim to be leaders of democracies. The dictator may be one person, such as Castro in
Cuba or Hitler in Germany, or a group of people, such as the Communist Party in China.
6. Democratic Republic
Usually, a "democratic republic" is not democratic and is not a republic. A government that officially calls
itself a "democratic republic" is usually a dictatorship. Communist dictatorships have been especially prone to
use this term. For example, the official name of North Vietnam was "The Democratic Republic of Vietnam."
China uses a variant, "The People's Republic of China."
7. Theocracy
A theocracy is traditional controlled by religious leaders. The representatives of the government are generally
chosen by the religious aristocracy. National religion reigns supreme and guides government decision making.
Types of Government Mini Research Project
Name___________________ ISN _______
Final Product: Country Visiting Brochure that explains how the country operates with regards to political and social
activities as well as shedding light on the populations’ civil liberties and rights.
Process:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Choose a country.
Use only the following resources for research: CIA World Factbook and Amnesty International websites.
Review the Country Questionnaire below.
Create a brochure that explains how the country operates with regards to political and social activities as well as
shedding light on the population’s civil liberties and rights. Make sure to include all information from your
country questionnaire!
Grading Process:
Country Questionnaire:
CIA World Factbook:
1. Name of Country
2. Picture of Country flag
3. People and Society: a. population and world rank
b. life expectancy and world rank
c. education expenditures and world rank
d. literacy rate
4. Government:
a. government type
b. legal system* (not where do laws come from, but how do courts/gov’t vs. rights operate)
c. elections of the 3 branches – executive, legislative, and judicial?
5. Economy:
a. per-capita GDP and world rank
6. Communications: internet users and world rank
7. Military:
a. service and obligation?
Amnesty International:
This information will vary depending on the issues that are occurring in your country. Read the Annual Report on your
country and choose what to include and omit. Please make sure to include appropriate headers and summaries under
each. This information should really give us a “feel” for peoples’ liberties, rights, and quality of life in their country!