Types of Government

1. Types of Government Standard: 4.3understand the basic features of major forms of governments in the world. 4.4understand the basic features of major forms of governance in the world. 5.1understand historical and modern examples of the concepts of limited and unlimited governance. Objectives:TLW identify the major types of government. TLW evaluate why a representative democracy provides a good government for diverse peoples?

2. Basic Fact 3/11/13 All economic systems must make three economic decisions: what to produce, how to produce and who gets the goods and services produced.

3. Democracy • Any system of government in which rule is by the people. • 2 forms • Direct Democracy • Representative Democracy • Republic – voters are sovereign • Requires citizen participation

4. Characteristics • Individual Liberty – you are as free as possible to develop your own capacities • Majority Rule with Minority Rights – decisions are made by a majority vote • Constitution helps ensure that the rights of individuals in the minority are protected. • Free Elections – one person, one vote • Competing Political Parties – group with broad common interests • 2-Party system

5. Special Environment Needed • In order for democracy to be successful, countries should have most of these ideas: • Active Citizen Participation • Favorable Economy • Widespread Education • Strong Civil Society • Social Consensus

6. Basic Fact 3/12/13 • Freedom is a weak word; it can mean that you have an inalienable right to do something, but it can also mean you have only permission to do it.

7. Basic Fact 3/13/14 • Karl Marx is known as the Father of Communism and wrote his theories down in his memoirs, known as the “Communist Manifesto.”

8. Basic Fact 3/14/13 • While drafting the Constitution, the Federalists believed in a strong national government while the Anti-Federalists argued against a Constitution because it did not initially have a Bill of Rights. • Quiz tomorrow!!