Transcript DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS vs. AUTHORITARIAN

DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS
vs.
AUTHORITARIAN GOVERNMENTS
THE ULTIMATE BATTLE OF GOOD vs.
EVIL…
…sort of.
MAIN IDEA
• The people are the ultimate rulers of
democratic countries
• A Ruler or small group of people control
Totalitarian States (Countries)
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT
• 3 kinds
– Direct Democracy
– Representative Democracy
– Constitutional Monarchy
Direct Democracy
• All citizens meet to debate government
matters and vote first hand.
• Not practical today, because of large areas of
land and populations.
Representative Democracy
• Citizens elect “representatives” to make laws,
and govern on their behalf.
• A system of limited government in which the
people (voters) have the ultimate power.
Constitutional Monarchy
• Monarchy = gov’t with a hereditary ruler (king
or queen).
Constitutional Monarchy= power of monarch is
limited by a Constitution and laws.
Prime Minister
Democratic Principles
• “a government of the people, by the people
and for the people”
• “of”=the power comes from the citizens
• “by” – citizens run the gov’t (through reps)
• “for” purpose is to make it better for citizens
Voting in a Democracy
• Free, fair, competitive elections.
• No discrimination at the polls
• Secret ballot
Voters have Choices
• Political parties – give voters choice, and serve
as a watchdog when not in power.
• A political party is a “group of individuals with
broad, common interests who organize to
support candidates for office and determine
public policy.
MAJORITY RULE
• When differences of opinion arise…we will do
what most of the people want.
– But you need to respect the views of the
minorities
AUTHORITARIAN COVERNMENT
• Power is held by ONE INDIVIDUAL or a small
group of people who are not representative of
the people.
• 3 kinds:
– Absolute Monarchy
– Dictatorship
– Totalitarianism
Absolute Monarchy
• Monarchy where the ruler has UNLIMITED
authority to rule as they wish.
• Almost nonexistent today
Dictatorships
• Dictators in control – rule just like a monarch –
but are not “born into” the position.
• They acquire their power through brute
military force.
• Continue to rely on this police and military
power to remain in power.
• Tamper with elections or refuse to hold them.
• Limit freedom of speech, press, and assembly.
Manuel Noriega - Panama
Fidel Castro - Cuba
Saddam Hussein - Iraq
Totalitarianism
A system of rule imposed by dictators
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•
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Government controls ALL aspects of life
Ban political opposititon
Regulate the means of production
Eliminate individual freedom –telling people
what to believe and with whom they interact
• Control the media, introduce propaganda, use
scare tactics, and violence
Adolf Hitler - Germany
Benito Mussolini - Italy
Joseph Stalin – Soviet Union