Ch1.3
Different Forms of Government
There are three major types of government:
1. autocracy- Rule by one person
a. Totalitarian Dictatorship-every aspect of a government is ruled by one person with an
iron fist
-Saddam Hussein
-Joseph Stalin
-Adolph Hitler
b. Monarchy-a King, Queen, or Emperor holds supreme power
1. Absolute monarch- rules all aspects of society
-few exist in the world today (Saudi Arabia)
-believe in divine right- God has granted them the right
to rule
c. Constitutional Monarchy-share government power with elected officials
-more often they are ceremonial heads of government
(Great Britain, Japan, Sweden, Netherlands)
2. Oligarchy- rule by a small group
-attain power through wealth, military power, social position, or a
combination of these
-communist governments are most often associated with
Oligarchies
-few exist today: Cuba, Vietnam, N. Korea, China
-the Communist Party does often get individuals elected to office
3. Democracy- rule by the people (government by the many)
-power lies with the people
-few true democracies exist today
a. Direct democracy
-the people govern themselves by voting on issues
-New England town meetings, cantons of Switzerland
b. Representative democracy
-the people elect representatives to make decisions for them
-often referred to as a Republic
-this is the type of government in the U.S.
-we call it a democratic-republic
Characteristics of Democracy
1. Individual liberty
-freedom to act as one wishes as long as it doesn’t bring harm to
another person
-everyone has an equal opportunity
2. Majority rules
-government decisions are based on the will of the majority
-it does not allow the will of the majority to rule over the minority
3. Free elections
-the right of the people to have free and open elections
-ensures public officials listen to the will of the people
-in free elections: 1. everyone’s vote carries the same weight
(one person, one vote)
2. candidates can express their views freely
-even if they criticize our current government
3. citizens can help candidates without fear
4. discrimination can’t occur as long as voting
requirements are met
5. citizens may vote freely and on a secret ballot
4. Competing political parties
Political party- group of people with broad common interests who
organize to: 1. nominate candidates
2. win elections
3. conduct government
4. determine public policy
-rival parties help to make elections meaningful by offering choices
-provides an opposition to the party in power
What do true democracies need to exist in society?
1. Favorable economy
-characterized by the idea of free enterprise- power to control your
own economic life
2. Widespread education
-a literate public will allow government to function better
3. A social consensus
-people accept democratic values of individual liberty and equality