Types of Governments and Democracies
Types of Governments
I. Major Types of Government
A. Governments may be classified
according to who governs the state.
B. In an
autocracy
, such as a
dictatorship or absolute monarchy,
power and authority reside in a single
individual.
C. In an
oligarchy
, such as a
communist country, a small group
holds power in the government.
D. In a
democracy
, such as the United
States, the people hold the sovereign
power of government.
TYPES OF DEMOCRACY
Direct democracy
, the people govern themselves
by voting on issues as individual citizens. Direct
democracy exists only in very small societies.
In a indirect or
representative democracy
citizens
elect representatives and give them the power to
make the laws.
A
republic,
voters are the source of the
government’s authority . We use the terms
constitutional republic, democracy and republic
to mean the same thing, a system of limited
government where “the people” are the ultimate
source of governmental authority.
Types of Governments,
cont
II. Characteristics of Democracy
A. Government works to secure an
equal
opportunity
for people to develop their own
abilities.
B. Government is based on majority rule
through the people’s elected
representatives, but respects the rights of
minorities.
C. Government is based on free and open
elections in which every citizen has the right
to vote, every vote has equal weight (one
man, one vote), and candidates for office
can freely express their views.
D. Political parties choose candidates for
office, respect the voters’ decisions in
elections, and act as loyal opposition.
Types of Governments, cont
III. The Soil of Democracy
A. Certain conditions or environments favor the
development of the democratic system of government.
B. Countries where citizens participate fully in civic life are
more likely to maintain a strong democracy.
C. Stable, growing economies with a large middle class
help strengthen democracies.
D. A public school system open to all people helps
promote democracy.
E. A strong civil society in which a network of voluntary
organizations (including economic groups, religious groups,
and political parties) exists independent of government
helps democracy to flourish.
F. The people accept democratic values such as individual
liberty and equality for all in a social consensus.
Explore the major types of governments including autocracy, oligarchy, and democracy. Learn about direct and indirect democracies, as well as the characteristics and soil that nurture democracy. Discover how government functions in various societal structures and the importance of citizen participation in maintaining a strong democratic system.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Types of Governments I. Major Types of Government A. Governments may be classified according to who governs the state. B. In an autocracy, such as a dictatorship or absolute monarchy, power and authority reside in a single individual. C. In an oligarchy, such as a communist country, a small group holds power in the government. D. In a democracy, such as the United States, the people hold the sovereign power of government.
TYPES OF DEMOCRACY Direct democracy, the people govern themselves by voting on issues as individual citizens. Direct democracy exists only in very small societies. In a indirect or representative democracy citizens elect representatives and give them the power to make the laws. A republic, voters are the source of the government s authority . We use the terms constitutional republic, democracy and republic to mean the same thing, a system of limited government where the people are the ultimate source of governmental authority.
Types of Governments, cont II. Characteristics of Democracy A. Government works to secure an equal opportunity for people to develop their own abilities. B. Government is based on majority rule through the people s elected representatives, but respects the rights of minorities. C. Government is based on free and open elections in which every citizen has the right to vote, every vote has equal weight (one man, one vote), and candidates for office can freely express their views. D. Political parties choose candidates for office, respect the voters decisions in elections, and act as loyal opposition.
Types of Governments, cont III. The Soil of Democracy A. Certain conditions or environments favor the development of the democratic system of government. B. Countries where citizens participate fully in civic life are more likely to maintain a strong democracy. C. Stable, growing economies with a large middle class help strengthen democracies. D. A public school system open to all people helps promote democracy. E. A strong civil society in which a network of voluntary organizations (including economic groups, religious groups, and political parties) exists independent of government helps democracy to flourish. F. The people accept democratic values such as individual liberty and equality for all in a social consensus.
