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Government is the system of people, laws, and officials that govern society.
Government is the system of people, laws, and officials that govern society.
General Resources
General Resources
Learn Something New
Learn Something New
There are 5 specific types of government that are most common. Most forms of government are some variations of Authoritarian, Democracy, Monarchy, Oligarchy, and Totalitarian.
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Check out these fantastic Youtube Playlists!
The United States' Government
The United States' Government
General U.S. Government Resources
General U.S. Government Resources
Federal, State, & Other Government Resources
Federal, State, & Other Government Resources
Indian Tribes and Resources for Native Americans
Indian Tribes and Resources for Native Americans
Authoritarian Government
Authoritarian Government
Blind submission to authority, as opposed to individual freedom of thought and action.
Blind submission to authority, as opposed to individual freedom of thought and action.
In 1964, Juan José Linz, Professor Emeritus of Sociology and Political Science at Yale University, identified the two most basic subtypes as traditional authoritarian regimes and bureaucratic-military authoritarian regimes.
Juan Linz, described the four most recognizable characteristics of authoritarian states as:
Limited political freedom with strict government controls imposed on political institutions and groups like legislatures, political parties, and interest groups
A controlling regime that justifies itself to the people as a “necessary evil” uniquely capable of coping with “easily recognizable societal problems” such as hunger, poverty, and violent insurgency
Strict government-imposed constraints on social freedoms such as suppression of political opponents and anti-regime activity
The presence of a ruling executive with vague, shifting, and loosely-defined powers
Democracy
Democracy
The people have the authority to deliberate and decide legislation, or to choose governing officials to do so.
The people have the authority to deliberate and decide legislation, or to choose governing officials to do so.
Two basic forms: Direct & Representative, there are many more.
Two basic forms: Direct & Representative, there are many more.
3 Types of Democracy: Participatory, Pluralist, and Elite.
3 Types of Democracy: Participatory, Pluralist, and Elite.
In 2002, the UN General Assembly and the former Commission on Human Rights declared the following as essential elements of democracy:
Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms
Freedom of association
Freedom of expression and opinion
Access to power and its exercise in accordance with the rule of law
The holding of periodic free and fair elections by universal suffrage and by secret ballot as the expression of the will of the people
A pluralistic system of political parties and organizations
The separation of powers
The independence of the judiciary
Transparency and accountability in public administration
Free, independent and pluralistic media
Monarchy
Monarchy
One person/monarch is head of state for life or until abdication.
One person/monarch is head of state for life or until abdication.
The characteristics of a Monarchy:
The characteristics of a Monarchy:
Hereditary and Bloodlines
Divine Right
Lifelong Rule
A Spectrum of Monarchies
Oligarchy
Oligarchy
Derived from the Greek words for "few" (óligon) and "rule" (arkho).
Derived from the Greek words for "few" (óligon) and "rule" (arkho).
There are many types of oligarchies, including autocracy, plutocracy, stratocracy, and theocracy.
There are many types of oligarchies, including autocracy, plutocracy, stratocracy, and theocracy.
Characteristics of oligarchies:
A power structure that is controlled by a small number of people.
Oligarchs may be distinguished and related by their wealth, family ties, nobility, corporate interests, religion, or military power.
Oligarchs influence authority.
Oligarchies are not always plutocracies.
Totalitarian Government
Totalitarian Government
Forceful & Extreme
Forceful & Extreme
Can come in the form of fascism, socialism, or communism.
Can come in the form of fascism, socialism, or communism.
Characteristics of a totalitarian government:
Having a dictatorship
Employing only one ruling party
Ruling through fear
Censorship of media
Propaganda in media, government speeches and through education
Prohibits criticism of the state
Mandatory military sign up
Secret police forces
Controlling reproduction of the population (either in hopes to increase or to decrease)
Targeting of specific religious or political populations
Development of a nationalist party
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