Global Political Systems

2014

There are three types of global political systems:

Autocracy Oligarchy

Democracy

They differ based upon the number of people who control them.

Autocratic

Oligarchy

Democracy

Rule by one

Rule by small group

Rule by citizens

A political system controlled by one person is an autocracy.

Examples include a dictatorship or a monarchy.

MonarchySaudi Arabia’s King Abdallah became King in August, 2005.

He chose the members of the legislature and the country’s judges.

DictatorshipZimbabwean

President Robert Mugabe is a dictator.

He refused to allow open elections for President in 2011.

Elections were held in 2013. He won. Observers claim the election was not valid.

Advantages Disadvantages

Very effective during wartime or emergency- decisions made quickly and decisively.

Individuals have very little, if any, participation in political system.

A political system controlled by a few persons (2-15) is a called an oligarchy.

Three types of oligarchies are:

theocracies;aristocracies; andpolitical party elites.

TheocracyThe Vatican City, Rome, is a theocracy.

Pope Francis was selected by over 100 Roman Catholic Cardinals.

Theocracy The Dali Llama is the spiritual leader of the state of Tibet. He was chosen by a small group of Buddhist leaders.

He lives in exile in India.

Tibet is occupied by Peoples’ Republic of China today.

TheocracyIran’s Ayatollah

Khamenei (right) was chosen by Muslim leaders as Iran’s Supreme Leader.

Iran’s President is Hasan Ruhani. He was elected by the people in 2013.

Iranian President RuhaniPresident Ruhani

has opened Iranian nuclear sites to inspection by the United Nations.

Many nations believe Iran may be trying to develop nuclear weapons.

AristocraciesPortrait of Grand

Duke of Tuscany Cosimo II de Medici ( 1590 1621).

His family, and others, made money through banking and then controlled the government in Florence, Italy for decades.

These families were highly educated.

Political Party ElitePeoples’ Republic of

China (PRC) is a political party elite today.

Xi Jinping, is the President of the PRC. He is the man in the middle.

The PRC’s Communist Party is the only party permitted to run candidates for election.

These men control the Communist Party.

President Xi Jinping (left) and Premier Li Keqiang

Advantages DisadvantagesEffective for

members of small group to participate in political system.

Some political parties.

Some interest groups.

Some media outlets.

Most members of community have little, if any, political participation unless as part of ruling small group.

The United States has a democratic political system.

Citizens rule!

DemocracyTwo types exist: direct and a republic.

In a direct democracy, citizens make political decisions themselves.

In a republic, citizens choose representatives to make the political decisions.

Direct: people decide themselves.1. Referendum.2. Initiative or

Propositions.

In November, 2012 citizens in the States of Washington and Colorado voted on ballot questions.

Voters in both states chose to legalize marijuana for recreational use.

Legislators did not make these decisions.

Republic: citizens choose representatives to decide.

Pennsylvania’s US Senator Pat Toomey represents the citizens of Pennsylvania in Washington, DC.

He makes political decisions for us.

Advantages DisadvantagesRegular elections.Many political

parties.Many interest

groups.Many media outlets.Individuals have

many ways to participate in political system.

Time consuming process to make new public policies and choose new government officials.

Government policies and laws must balance common good with individual liberties.