Ch 4.3: Political Systems

1. Mr. Busch’s World Cultures Ch 4.3: Political Systems

2. Political Systems: • The kind of government a society has reflects the values of a culture • Government’s main purpose is to make and enforce policies and laws that are binding on all people living in its territory • Should have well being of its people as top priority.

3. Features of Government (cont.) What is the purpose of government, and why does every country have one? A government makes laws and carries out the will of the people. Most societies are too large for everyone to participate in decisions affecting the whole group. A government makes such decisions, ideally based on the best interests of the whole. Section 3-7 (page 86) Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.

4. Levels of Government • Unitary SystemA unitary system of government gives all key powers to the national or central government. The national government then creates local governments with limited authority. Section 3-8 (page 87)

5. Levels of Government (cont.) • Federal System A federal systemof government divides governmental powers between the national government and state or provincial governments.  • The United States, Mexico, and Switzerland are examples of federal governments. Section 3-9 (page 87) Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information.

6. Political Systems: Autocracy • 1.) Autocracy: a system of government in which the power and authority to rule belong to a single individual • Oldest and most common form of government • Several forms exist; dictatorship or authoritarian

7. Political Systems: (Autocracies) • Totalitarian Dictatorship: • A government in which one leader has full power over a country • Leader makes all government policies • Control all aspects of civilian life • Examples: Hitler’s Germany and Stalin’s USSR

8. Political Systems: (Autocracies) • Monarchy: a form of government in which a King or a Queen control the government • Usually inherit their positions • Absolute Monarchs are Kings/Queens that have complete and unlimited power over their people

9. Political Systems: • 2.) Oligarchy: a system of government in which a small group or one political party holds power • The group gets its power from wealth, military power, or social position • Communist countries are oligarchies

10. Political Systems: (Democracies) • 3.) Democracy: a system of government in which leaders rule with the consent of the citizens. • Republic: voters elect officials to represent them • Shows that people value individual freedoms • Examples: U.S., Canada • Constitutional Monarchy: • A government which has a King or a Queen, but the power lies in the country’s democratic constitution • Example: Great Britain

11. Political Systems:Theocracies • Government by divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided. • In many theocracies, government leaders are members of the clergy, and the state's legal system is based on religious law. • Theocratic rule was typical of early civilizations. Contemporary examples of theocracies include Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Vatican.