Types of Government
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Distribution of Power over Geography
Relationship Between Legislative and Executive Branch
Nature of Leadership
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DemocracyBasics of Democracy Power Point |
Democracies are based in principles and values, not necessarily common practices. There are two types:
- Direct Democracy – Each citizen has an equal say in government operations, such as town hall meetings where residents vote on government business. Many states make changes to laws according to the vote of the people through ballot initiatives or referenda.
- Representative Democracy – As in the United States, citizens elect representatives who make laws.
- Citizen responsibility – Citizens are expected to participate in the process of government.
- Majority rule and individual rights – The majority decides on laws and determines who is charged with making them. The government is decentralized to the regional and local level, to be more accessible to the people and more responsive to their needs.
- Protecting individual rights – A fundamental principle of democracy is protecting basic human rights such as free speech, freedom of religion, freedom to organize and freedom to fully participate in society.
Direct Democracy |
Representative Democracy |
Dictatorship
Dictatorship Countries
A dictatorship is an authoritarian form of government, with one individual holding absolute power in ruling the country and enforcing the law. Dictators are often democratically elected, but then change the political system to ensure they remain in power. Additional aspects of dictatorships include:
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Communism
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Communism - The Quad
Communist Countries Communism refers to the political ideology of common ownership of the means of production, where goods and products are shared by all in the society. Communism includes these concepts:
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Republic
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Republic Countries
In a republic, power rests with the people. Leaders are elected, rather than appointed or inherited, and may be recalled by the citizenry. In a broad definition, a republic is a government that excludes a monarch. Many republics in the 19th century were established to displace monarchs. |