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Forms of Government

Forms of Government. Autocracy. Oldest form of government Power in the hands of a single individual Examples: Monarch, Dictator. Oligarchy. Small group holds power China is an oligarchy—communist party and armed forces rule the country. Democracy. The people of a state share power

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Forms of Government

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  1. Forms of Government

  2. Autocracy • Oldest form of government • Power in the hands of a single individual • Examples: Monarch, Dictator

  3. Oligarchy • Small group holds power • China is an oligarchy—communist party and armed forces rule the country

  4. Democracy • The people of a state share power • Rule by the people

  5. Different Types of Democracy • In a direct democracy, the citizens govern themselves by voting on issues individually. • In a representative democracy, the people elect representatives and give them the power to make laws and run the government. • In a republic, elected representatives are responsible to the people. Representative democracy, republic, and constitutional republic mean the same thing to most people. However, not every democracy is a republic. For example, Great Britain is a democracy but not a republic.

  6. Characteristics of Democracy

  7. Characteristics of Democracy • Individual Liberty: All people have an equal opportunity to develop and use their talents to the fullest extent possible • Majority Rule with Minority Rights: People usually accept decisions made by the majority of voters. The Constitution protects the rights of the minority.

  8. Characteristics of Democracy • Free Elections: Everyone’s vote carries the same weight; all candidates have the right to express their view freely; citizens are free to help candidates or to support issues; legal requirements for voting are kept to a minimum; and citizens may vote by secret ballot. • Competing Political Parties: A political party is a group of individuals with broad common interest who organize to nominate candidate for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy.

  9. The Soil of democracy

  10. The Soil of Democracy • Active Citizen Participation: Citizens who are able to inform themselves about issues, vote in elections, serve on juries, work for candidates, and run for government office are more likely to maintain a strong democracy.

  11. The Soil of Democracy • A Favorable Economy: Democracy succeeds more in countries that do not have extremes of wealth and poverty and have a large middle class. Free enterprise also provides a base for making independent economic decisions in the United States. Since people control their economic lives, they are freer to make political decisions.

  12. The Soil of Democracy • Widespread Education: Democracy is more likely to succeed in a country with an educated public.

  13. The Soil of Democracy • Strong Civil Society: A civil society is a complex network of voluntary associations, economic groups, religious organizations, and many other kinds of groups that exist independently of government. Examples are labor unions, religious institutions and the Red Cross. These organizations give citizens a way to make their views known to government officials and the general public. They also give citizens a means to protect their rights and to learn about participating in democracy.

  14. The Soil of Democracy • A Social Consensus: A country where most people accept democratic values, such as individual liberty and equality, has a social consensus. A democratic country must also have general agreement about the purposes and limits of government.

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