History and forms of government

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History and Forms of Government

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The Development of Government

• Force Theory – claimed by violence or threat of violence

• Evolutionary Theory – developed through families and tribes

• Divine Right Theory – God(s) gave power to those in charge

• Social Contract Theory – people give up some of their freedoms to the state for promote the well being of all

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Beginning

• Families or tribes– one leader– customs & superstitions– influenced decisions

• 10,000 yrs. ago established villages – little government

– provided protection and food

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Ancient Times

• -3500 BC small cities w/ services

• rulers usually religious leaders

• -Divine Right - rule came from god

• -Military enforced rules

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Greeks

• city-states 1st democracy • Aristotle & Plato 300 BC

– Rule of Law• everyone must follow

the law

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Romans

• philosopher power from the people

• Cicero people have natural rights

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Middle Ages

• -700’s feudal system w/ lord & vassals

• some court customs still used

• rule by divine right & power – from the church

• Gave way to: • Absolute Monarchy &

Constitutional Monarchy (England)

• Constitutional Law – all men must obey the law

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Modern Times

• Colonial governments of the 1700’s had legislatures

• US and French revolution establish representative democracy

• By 1900’s much of Europe was under totalitarianism

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Forms of Government

• Aristotle classified government by the number of rulers

• Each category could be– Virtuous – benefit of all– Corrupt – benefit of the ruler

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Autocracy - ruled by one person

• two types– Monarchy - hereditary rulers have the power

for life• Caesar king, queen, czar, or sultan

– Dictatorship – governed with a ruler with unlimited power

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Monarchy

• Before 1900’s

• Mostly Absolute Monarchy - unlimited power

• Few Constitutional Monarchy – Limited power by law

• Today most monarchs are ceremonial– executive power is held by a prime minister

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Dictatorship

• Power acquired & maintained through fear violence and force war, revolution & assassination

• limit personal freedoms• depend on military and police• some gain power legally• Today many still rule

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Oligarchy - Ruled by few people

• Several Types– Aristocracy– Theocracy– Junta– Authoritarianism – Totalitarianism

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Oligarchy Cont.

• Aristocracy – ruled by a privileged few, usually with inherited wealth social rank & ability– feel they are superior– idea of equality added to decline

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Oligarchy Cont.

• Theocracy – controlled by priests or priestesses with civil and religious authority god handed down government

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Oligarchy Cont.

• Junta – small group of military officers take control of a government – usually one officer takes

power and it – turns into a dictatorship

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Oligarchy Cont.

• Authoritarianism– power is in the hands of the party leaders

• legislatures pass without debate party policies

• rights usually violated

• absolute loyalty

• usually ends up totalitarian a dictatorship

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Oligarchy Cont.

• Totalitarianism – total government control over political, economic, cultural religious, or social activities no personal freedom

• individual servant of state

• terror tactics used by secret police

• One political party • Lead by dictator• demand absolute

loyalty• Can be an autocracy

(dictatorship)• Sometimes an

oligarchy (Junta or Communism)

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Democracy

• Ruled by many people

• Two types– Direct – Indirect

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Direct Democracy

• People make the laws themselves– citizens vote on laws

• Initiative• Referendum• Recall

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Indirect Democracy

• People choose representatives to make laws for them– aka. representative demo. or republic

• Elect a set number of reps. to a legislative body– congress, assembly, parliament, senate, council or

legislature

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Geographic Power Distribution

• Unitary – All power held and given by a Central Government

• Federal – Power is shared by central and local governments Division of Power

• Confederate - Alliance between independent states (countries) that has only the power given to it

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