Types of Government

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Types of Government (Travel Challenge)

Type in the hidden words from the slides.

Vocabulary

Democracy is a form of government in which power is vested in the hands of the people, either directly or through elected representatives.

Kratia (The power and authority

Demos (The People)

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Democracy

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In a representative democracy, people elect representatives to their government who make decisions on the people's behalf. The representatives' power comes from the people, who expect their representatives to listen to them. Many representative democracies also have a written constitution that gives the government limited power and grants rights to all citizens. Representative democracy is the most popular form of limited government today. The United States is an example of a modern representative democracy.

Democracy

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Swiss citizens raise their hands to vote.

In a direct democracy, citizens represent themselves in government, rather than electing people to represent them. One advantage of direct democracy is that everyone has a clear voice. However, it can be hard to gather everyone to discuss an issue and vote. Few countries use direct democracy as their national form of government today, but some use it at the local level. Switzerland, for example, uses elements of direct democracy in local districts called cantons. Any proposed amendment to the Swiss constitution must be approved by a majority of people in the cantons. In some smaller cantons, citizens still vote with a show of hands.

Democracy

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More recently, many countries that were once monarchies have written constitutions and turned power over to the people and their representatives.

Monarchy is the oldest form of government in the world. Historically, leaders of monarchies — called monarchs — had unlimited power.

A monarchy is a form of government in which power is handed down from generation to generation within one family. A king or queen's right to lead comes from being related to the previous monarch.

Monarchy

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King Felipe and Queen Letizia are the head of Spain's constitutional monarchy, but their role is largely symbolic.

A constitutional monarchy A form of government led by a monarch who has limited power. Elected representatives hold most of the power to make decisions for the country. Examples: Japan, Morocco, the United Kingdom

Monarchy

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King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia

In an absolute monarchy, the monarch has unlimited power and can do whatever he or she wants. Most governments before the 1800s were absolute monarchies, but today, there are very few left. Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia are current examples of absolute monarchies.

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Monarchy

A theocracy is a form of unlimited government ruled by religious leaders. These leaders believe that their power comes from their god. In these types of governments, all laws are based on religious laws, which citizens are forced to follow. Citizens must also practice the leaders' religion or face punishment. An example of a modern theocracy is Iran and its supreme leader. The current supreme leader of Iran is Ali Khamenei, but the most famous was Ayatollah Khomeini. Even though Ayatollah Khomeini is dead, people in Iran can be punished for insulting him. Another example is the Vatican. The Vatican has its own government distinct from the Italian Government and is headed by the Pope

Theocracy

In an oligarchy, a small group of people has all the power. These people tend to be very rich, which gives them the ability to control both the government and the economy. Often, oligarchs rule without the permission of the people. Oligarchies usually allow voting, but since the oligarchs have almost total power, the elections are not considered valid or fair. In many cases, people are afraid to disagree publicly with the government, and oligarchs run unopposed. Many consider the modern Russian Federation to be an oligarchy because it is ruled by a small circle of extremely wealthy businessmen.

Oligarchy

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A dictatorship is a type of unlimited government in which the ruler has total power. This type of government is also called an autocracy. Dictators often take control of a government by force, using violence or threats. Dictators believe that the people have no rights, and they give the people little to no say in how the government is run. Adolf Hitler, leader of Nazi Germany during World War II, is one of history's best-known dictators. North Korea's Kim Jong Un is a more current example.

Dictatorship

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Directions: Determine if the type of government is limited or unlimited

Unlimited Government

Limited Government

Oligarchy

Absolute Monarchy

Dictatorship

Representative Democracy

Constitutional Monarchy

Direct Democracy

Directions: Hover over the words to read their decription, then match them to the correct category

A government that has limited or restricted powers over the people it governs.

Governments that have no limits or restraints on their power over the people they govern.

No Rule of Law

No Written Constitution

Usually Authoritarian

Few Participate

Rule of Law

Written Constitution

Usually Democratic

Many Participate

Unlimited Government

Limited Government

Australia is a constitutional monarchy. It is also a former British colony. Today, even though Australia is an independent country with its own government, its people still consider the ruler of England to be their monarch. Australia uses a parliamentary government, and true power rests with the legislative body, the Parliament of Australia. Australian elections are held every one to three years, depending on the office. Every Australian over 18 is required by law to participate in federal elections. Anyone who doesn't vote is fined an amount equivalent to about $15.

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Australia

Gambia is a representative democracy in western Africa. The former leader, however, ruled in an authoritarian style until a new leader was elected in 2016. Elections in the Gambia are held every five years, and citizens elect a president and members of the National Assembly, the legislative body. The Gambia has a low literacy rate, meaning many of its citizens cannot read or write. Gambians can use a paper ballot or cast their votes by dropping marbles into metal drums that feature pictures of the candidates. Voting in the Gambia is not required.

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Gambia

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In a ___________ citizens represent themselves in government rather than electing people to represent them.

Monarchy

Representative Democracy

Direct Democracy

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__________ is the oldest form of government in the world. It consists of a king or queen and power is inherited.

Monarchy

Rule of law

Democracy

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___________ is the idea that everyone must follow the law

Rule of Law

Constitution

Democracy

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___________ is when a country is controlled by one person who usually takes power by force. People have little to no rights

Theocracy

Dictatorship

Democracy

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___________ are governments that have no limits or restraints on their power over the people they govern

Rule of Law

Limited Government

Unlimited Govrnment

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Definitions

representative democracy A form of democracy in which people elect representatives to make decisions. Also known as a republic. Examples: The United States, Roman Republic (historical)

direct democracy A form of democracy in which all people gather to make decisions about laws and policies. Examples: City-state of Athens (historical), parts of the Swiss government (present-day)

North Korea

North Korea is an absolute monarchy. The Kim family has held power since 1946, and the head of the country comes from this family. National elections are held every five years, and citizens are required to vote. Citizens elect members of the Supreme People's Assembly, the country's legislative body. Because there is only one political party and one chosen candidate for each office, most people consider elections in North Korea to be undemocratic or just for appearances.

The United States of America

Elections are held every two, four, or six years, depending on the office. U.S. citizens are not required to register to vote or participate in elections, but voting is considered an important responsibility that all citizens should engage in.

The United States is a representative democracy. There are elections for government officials at the federal, state, and local levels. Most officials are elected through direct elections, meaning that citizens vote directly for their preferred candidates. The office of president is the only position that is elected indirectly through the Electoral College.