If you ruled the world, . . .

to form the perfect community. . .

what type of governmen

t would you

choose?

Making ChoicesPeople and governments make choices every day about

what type of government the people will live under.

They choose how they will balance freedom and security.

What is a Government?Government is

an institution that establishes and enforces rules, provides services, and manages other affairs, for a group of people.

AnarchyAnarchy

describes a society

without a government

or laws.

Illustration from www.wisconsinhistory.org/wmh/pdf/spring01_crane.pdf

DemocracyDemocracy is a type of

government in which

citizens, either directly or indirectly, govern themselves. Democratic governments traditionally emphasize such principles as individual equality, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press.

Republic

A Republic

is a form of government in which the citizens elect representatives to manage the government.

We live in a Democratic-Republic. http://www.starspage.net/desktop_wallpapers/politicians/barack_obama/

imagepages/image30.htm

AuthoritarianismAuthoritarianism is a type of

government in which the governing power is used without the consent of the people being governed.

Authoritarianism?

Authoritarianism?

Authoritarianism?

AuthoritarianismAuthoritarianism is a type of

government in which the governing power is used without the consent of the people being governed.

Oligarchy

In an oligarchy, an elite group rather than an individual rules. Many communist and socialist governments are actually ruled by an oligarchy.

Oligarchy Some people are saying that

our country is becoming an oligarchy – ruled by the rich and powerful who are not paying attention to what the people as a whole want.

Oligarchy

Communism

Under Communism,

the government owns everything.

Authoritarianism?

Ho Chi Minh www.time.com/time/time100/leaders/profile/hochiminh.html

Lenin Photo of Lenin from www.time.com/time/time100/leaders/profile/lenin.html

Socialism Under Socialism

the government controls all the businesses, but they

don’t own everything.

Authoritarianism?

FascismUnder Fascism a dictator rules and

everyone must obey the dictator.

Authoritarianism?

A Dictator is any ruler whose power is not limited by law or by the acts of any official body, such as a legislature.

Photo of Hitler from time.com/time/time100/leaders/profile/hitler.html

MonarchyMonarchy is a

form of government in which a ruler—

such as an emperor, king,

or queen—holds power for

life.

Picture of Queen Elizabeth 1 found at www.npg.org.uk/live/search/person.asp?search=ss&sText=elizabeth+i&LinkID=mp01452

His Majesty King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud

Then there are combinations:

For example:

Democratic Republic

Constitutional Monarchy

Socialist Republic

And there is a theory that all democracies eventually become oligarchies.

What if you were the monarch?

What if you were the dictator?

Photo of Saddam Hussein from news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/1100529.stm

What if you were the president?

How much freedom would there be?

How much security would there be?

For the perfect community. . .

what type of government would you choose?

Which type of government would

YOU choose?

Which type of government would YOU chose?