Types of government Politics and Law 2A Types of Government There are two broad categories: Liberal democratic AND Traditional/authority based (Non-democratic)

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Types of government

Politics and Law

2A

Types of Government

• There are two broad categories:

• Liberal democratic

AND

• Traditional/authority based (Non-democratic)

Democratic government

• Two types-

• Direct- All citizens are leaders, involved in decisions and often chosen by lot. Examples- Ancient Athens

• In-direct- Vote for representatives to make decisions. Examples- Australia, UK, USA


• Free and fair elections

• Representative parliaments

• Accountable executives

• Open participation

• Just and equitable legal system


• Leader- limited power, right to rule comes from the people as they are chosen and removed by them.

• People- Individuals are citizens, with human rights(ie/ legal, political and social).


• The Law-basic principle of the rule of law, law is supreme and there is formal equality before the law. (pg469).

• Communication and change-open and society is dynamic.

Non-democratic government

• The leader- Unlimited power, not accountable to anyone. Right to rule based on- physical power, birth or religious authority.

• The people- Individuals are subjects, position in society decided by birth not merit, limited human rights.

Non- democratic government

• The law- Law is at the will of the leader. Different laws for the rulers, they were above the law.

• Communication and change- information controlled, and society static.

Examples

• Absolute monarch- power based on hereditary right. Saudia Arabia, Monaco (most countries used this system before democracy)

• Aristocracy- power is held by an elite section of society. Pre-revolution France

Examples

• Oligarchy-modern term for aristocracy, often generals and the wealthy, ie South America and Burma.

Examples- Dictatorships/ Autocratic

• Negative connotations- allows no opposition and rule is unfair/unequal.

• Two types- Authoritarian-ie Zimbabwe’s Mugabe

• Totalitarian systems- want control on all aspects of life. Ie- Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia, current North Korea.

• Read pgs 22/ 23 together.

Documents

Types of government Politics and Law 2A Types of Government There are two broad categories: Liberal democratic AND Traditional/authority based (Non-democratic)