1.3: Forms of Government
Do now:
Who should rule and what form of government
should they use?
1.3: Forms of Government
How would you define government?
There is no standard taxonomy
(organized method of description) for
government. Government is best
described by the locus of power.
1.3: Forms of Government
Those in power and their corresponding
form of government.
MonarchyDictatorshipDemocracyOligarchyTheocracyAnarchyIdiocracy-
King or Queen
Dictator
The People
A small group
God (The Church)
No ruler
?
1.3: Forms of Government
Monarchy v. Dictatorship v. Tyranny
What if the difference between all three?
All have one person in power.
The bloodline of
a monarchy must at
least be partially
accepted by it’s people.
Takes control by force
Is cruel or unjust.
with help of the military generally feared
and unliked.
1.3: Forms of Government
Philosopher King
Plato wrote that in order to have a perfect society that
"philosophers [must] become kings…or those now called
kings [must]…genuinely and adequately philosophize"
(The Republic, 5.473d).
Read the handout and discuss whether or not you believe
that philosopher kings would/could be good for a society.
1.3: Forms of Government
Lets take a look at forms or types of governments.
Oligarchy = power
that is concentrated
within a small group.
Some groups that
form oligarchies are:
military generals,
Psychologist, wizards,
drug cartels,
businessmen., etc.
1.3: Forms of Government
Theocracy: Who is really in charge?
The strictest definitions apply to individuals, defining their
submission to God or gods.
In real theocracies, a person or class of persons rule as the direct
connection to God.
1.3: Forms of Government
Anarchy
What it is not:
Chaos, every man for himself, etc.
What it is:
Society without a public
government. It is consensus rule
without violence, coercion or
forced authority while still creating
a desirable society.
1.3: Forms of Government
Fascism
Fascism is a governmental
system focused around a
nation's identity. Foreigners
and foreign ideas are often
demonized and nationalist
propaganda is a control tool
used by the controlling
party. Requires strong
parties and nationalist
sentiments. Often
dictatorial.
1.3: Forms of Government
Constitutional Monarchy
A constitutional monarchy is
a government with a royal
family that has agreed to
share some power with a
democratic body. There is a
constitution written that both
the people and the monarchy
sign in order to clarify this
sharing of power.
1.3: Forms of Government
How is power distributed?
Unitary = All power belongs
to central government
Federal = Power is split
between central and local
Confederate = Power is local
with loose central ties
1.3: Forms of Government
Branches of Government
Legislative- Creates laws
Executive- Implements and enforces laws
Judiciary- Verifies consistency of law and judges
possible violations
1.3: Forms of Government
Government Comparison
In groups of four, read and complete the chart for comparing
the power structure of different governments.
Each member of the group will read about one country and
relay that information to the group.
The scribe will record the group’s findings on the chart.
1.3: Forms of Government
1.3 Create your own Government
In groups of four, read and
complete the Create your own
Government worksheet.