Forms of Government

Forms of Government AutocracyRuled by one personThis can be a monarch, a dictator etc.One of the oldest and most common forms of governmentMost autocracies maintain their positions of authority by inheritance or the ruthless use of military or police power.Types of AutocracyMonarchy- King or Queen, Emperor or EmpressAbsolute Monarchy- Monarchs with complete and unlimited power to rule, this power is usually justified by Divine Right.Totalitarian Dictatorship- The ideas of a single leader are glorified, the government seeks to control all aspects of social and economic life.MonarchyKing George III Napoleon Bonaparte

Absolute MonarchyKing Loius XIV Ramesses II

Totalitarian DictatorshipAdolf Hitler Kim Jong Un

Pros/Cons of AutocracyPros-Fastest in responding to situationsStrong and forcefulCons-Decisions bear no connection to the will of the peopleOften wasteful of a countrys talent and resourcesOften violent and unpredictableCan eventually result in revolution or civil warNot responsible to the people and cannot be limited by themOligarchyRule by a group.This group derives its power from wealth, military power, social position or a combination of all three. Sometimes source of power is from religion.All political opposition by the people is usually ruthlessly suppressed.Oligarchy Examples Sparta Russia

Pros/Cons of OligarchyPros-Elite leaders may be very talented and knowledgeable about how to make a country work efficientlyCan respond quicker than a democracyCons-Needs and desires of the masses are often ignoredSlower than an autocracy as the group has to reach agreementLeaders are often not chosen based upon meritLeaders can rule for their benefit, not the peoplesForce, violence and intimidation often used to force obedienceDemocracyA system of government which the people ruleTwo different typesRepublic- any system of government where the power of the government is officially in the hands of the people. The government only rules with the peoples consent. Both direct and representative democracy are republics.Constitutional monarchy- a democratic form of government with a monarch as a symbolic leader. This is a democratic form of government that is not a republic because the monarch figurehead is officially in charge even though in reality the government is run by the people.Example- United Kingdom

Republic- Direct DemocracyPeople govern themselves by individually voting on issuesOnly works in very small societiesMembers must meet regularly to discuss issues.Examples:Ancient AthensNo country has a direct democracy todaySome small towns in New England and some communities in Switzerland use this

Republic- Representative Democracy The people elect representatives It is the representative's responsibility and power to make the laws and conduct government.This takes the form of a council, legislature, congress or parliament.Examples- United States of America India

Pros/Cons of DemocracyPros-More Creative and effective in the long runSatisfies the largest number of peoplePeoples freedoms and rights are protectedLess violent with other countriesShould be more internally resistant to revolution or civil warCons-Slow!!!Requires consensus by the people; this is hard to get sometimes and is time consuming; it requires patience and consistent effortRequires: education, participation, communication, freedom, protection of peoples rights.