Comparative Comparative GovernmentGovernment

Essential QuestionsEssential Questions

How is the leader chosen, or how does the How is the leader chosen, or how does the leader acquire power?leader acquire power?

Given the manor in which the leader is Given the manor in which the leader is decided, are they qualified to lead?decided, are they qualified to lead?

What powers or limits on powers does the What powers or limits on powers does the leader have?leader have?

What advantages and disadvantages does What advantages and disadvantages does each type of government have?each type of government have?

What opportunities for citizen participation What opportunities for citizen participation are there in each government?are there in each government?

Absolute MonarchyAbsolute Monarchy

Leader is a monarch (king or queen)Leader is a monarch (king or queen) Leader is decided through hereditary Leader is decided through hereditary

lineage (by birth)lineage (by birth) Leader is groomed by birth to leadLeader is groomed by birth to lead There is no limit to the monarch’s There is no limit to the monarch’s

power, so citizens have no rightspower, so citizens have no rights Examples: France until 1789, Russia Examples: France until 1789, Russia

until 1917, Saudi Arabia todayuntil 1917, Saudi Arabia today

Constitutional MonarchyConstitutional Monarchy

Head of state is either through Head of state is either through hereditary lineage or electedhereditary lineage or elected

Shares power, or is merely a Shares power, or is merely a figurehead, with a prime ministerfigurehead, with a prime minister

Power of monarch is limited by a Power of monarch is limited by a constitution that gives citizens rightsconstitution that gives citizens rights

Examples: United Kingdom todayExamples: United Kingdom today

Parliamentary DemocracyParliamentary Democracy Prime minister is elected to be the head Prime minister is elected to be the head

of governmentof government People elect a legislature which then People elect a legislature which then

elects the head of government, so no elects the head of government, so no true separation of powerstrue separation of powers

Leader can be removed for unpopularity Leader can be removed for unpopularity with a “vote of no confidence”with a “vote of no confidence”

Power of government is limited through a Power of government is limited through a constitution, so citizens are guaranteed constitution, so citizens are guaranteed rightsrights

Example: United Kingdom todayExample: United Kingdom today

Presidential DemocracyPresidential Democracy

Leader is popularly elected as presidentLeader is popularly elected as president Has a complete separation of powers Has a complete separation of powers (with (with

checks and balances guaranteeing no part of checks and balances guaranteeing no part of government gets too powerful) government gets too powerful)

Leader can be impeached for misconduct Leader can be impeached for misconduct (high crimes or misdemeanors)(high crimes or misdemeanors)

Government power is limited by a Government power is limited by a constitution guaranteeing citizens rightsconstitution guaranteeing citizens rights

Example: United States todayExample: United States today

DictatorshipDictatorship Leader acquires power through forceLeader acquires power through force Has no laws or legally-organized Has no laws or legally-organized

opposition telling the leader what they opposition telling the leader what they can docan do

Equivalent to a police stateEquivalent to a police state Considered exact opposite of a Considered exact opposite of a

democracydemocracy Involves constant indoctrination through Involves constant indoctrination through

propaganda to erase any potential for propaganda to erase any potential for dissent dissent

Examples: North Korea today, Cuba Examples: North Korea today, Cuba today, Iraq under Sadamtoday, Iraq under Sadam

TheocracyTheocracy Leader is either oligarchy or Leader is either oligarchy or

autocracy of ruling priestsautocracy of ruling priests Government is ruled through Government is ruled through

religious authority (religious authority (This is basically a This is basically a dictatorship, but the basis of rule is a strict dictatorship, but the basis of rule is a strict religious commandreligious command))

Citizens have no rights that conflict Citizens have no rights that conflict with religious doctrinewith religious doctrine

Examples: Iran today, the Vatican Examples: Iran today, the Vatican today, Afghanistan under the today, Afghanistan under the TalibanTaliban

Totalitarian GovernmentsTotalitarian Governments

Totalitarianism Totalitarianism • The state controls every aspect of public The state controls every aspect of public

and private lifeand private life• The ruler(s) have TOTAL control/powerThe ruler(s) have TOTAL control/power• Keep power by disseminating Keep power by disseminating

(spreading) propaganda through (spreading) propaganda through state-state-controlled mediacontrolled media, , restricting free restricting free speechspeech, controlling the economy, , controlling the economy, creating a creating a personality cultpersonality cult, and use of , and use of terror tacticsterror tactics

PropagandaPropaganda• Widespread promotion of particular Widespread promotion of particular

ideas to further your cause or damage ideas to further your cause or damage an opposing onean opposing one

IndoctrinationIndoctrination• The act of teaching particular doctrines, The act of teaching particular doctrines,

beliefs, or ideas of a party or cultbeliefs, or ideas of a party or cult

Examples of totalitarian states:Examples of totalitarian states:• Nazi GermanyNazi Germany• Soviet UnionSoviet Union• Mao Zedong’s Communist ChinaMao Zedong’s Communist China• Khmer Rouge of Pol Pot in CambodiaKhmer Rouge of Pol Pot in Cambodia• Saddam Hussein’s IraqSaddam Hussein’s Iraq• North Korea today under Kim Jong-IlNorth Korea today under Kim Jong-Il