Brazil, Cuba, Mexico

Government Types

Autocracy Democracy Parliamentary Democracy Presidential Democracy

Each government is different, however these basic terms tell us how citizens in that country participate and who has a say in their government.

• Brazil is a federal system where the central and state government shares power. Brazil is made up of 26 states.

• Brazil also has a presidential democracy where the people elect the leader and legislature directly. • There is a president who holds the most power. He/she is

the chief executive and head of state.• There is also a vice president who helps in day to day

running of the government and performs ceremonial duties.

Brazil’s National Congress Building

Inside Brazil’s senate

• Citizens have many freedoms and they also have the right to vote. • Men and women who are 16 years of age may choose to vote, but

citizens 18-70 are required by law to vote in national elections. • Citizens can choose representatives from many political parties.• Overall Brazil’s freedoms are average compared to other countries in the

world. • Personal property rights are not always

protected and the court system cannotalways be trusted.

2010: Voting Booth in Brazil

Mexico’s Congress Building • Mexico has a presidential democracy where the president is elected to one 6 year term.

• Citizens of Mexico have many freedoms, and they also have the right to vote.

• It is universal and compulsory (but not enforced) that citizens who are 18 or older vote in national elections.

• There are many political parties in Mexico

• Cuba has an autocratic government where there is one leader who has ultimate control.

• Cuba has been an autocracy since Batista turned himself into a dictator.• Cuba remained an autocracy even when Fidel Castro took over Cuba.• The leader is called a president who is the chief executive and head of

state. • In 2006, Fidel Castro passed his power down to Raul Castro who ruled

until 2018. Cuba’s new leader’s name is Miguel Diaz-Canel.

Fidel Castro Raul CastroMiguel Diaz-Canel

• Even though citizens get to “vote”, they do not get to select the candidates or make the laws.

• Citizens freedoms in Cuba are one of the least free in the world.

• The government controls all aspects of life. There is little opportunity to own personal property. The government controls almost all businesses, factories, and farms.