Dictatorship: One-Person Rule. Ruler Has Total Control; Absolute Monarchs Are Also

Dictatorship: One-person rule. Ruler has total control; absolute monarchs are also dictatorships.

ADVANTAGES:

1)UNITY - People may be united in their loyalty to a dictator since there is no competition for trust and affection.

2)FAST ACTION - In an emergency, a dictator can move quickly to take action. No time is lost in debate or discussion.

3)STABILITY - Strong leadership – good leader = stability

DISADVANTAGES:

1)PEOPLE’S OPINIONS IGNORED - People are afforded little or no individual liberty. Civil rights are trampled on.

2)SELFISH / EGOISTIC LEADER - A dictator’s policies suit his/her own needs. Needs of the people may be neglected.

3)LIMITED IDEAS - Decision making has a narrow base - can be flawed, wrong, dangerous, and not fully supported by the people.

Theocracy: A combination of strong national pride and strong religious beliefs that has led to the control of the government by religious leaders.

Advantages:

1)LIKE-MINDED IDEAS - General agreement on the operation of the country.

2)TRADITIONS INTACT - Helps to keep the tradition of a country – religious doctrine or record used to rule.

3)ADORE LEADER - People will admire and look up to the rulers.

Disadvantages

1)CONFLICTING RELIGIOUS & GOVERNING IDEA - Driven by religion – may result on poor decisions made by the government.

2)MINORITIES IGNORED -Can result in discrimination if one is not a member of the majority or dominant religion.

3)EXTREMISM - Disagreement over interpretations of the religious doctrine can occur.

Monarchy: Power is inherited and passed down the royal family line.

Advantages:

1)SAVE $ & TIME - No worry or conflict over elections.

2)AWARENESS OF LEADER - Stable long line of heirs or rulers.

3)CONTINUITY - Traditions of the country will be carried on.

Disadvantages:

1)PEOPLE HAVE NO CHOICE - Can be restrictive because people do not have the right to vote.

2)ELITISM - Does not represent the entire society.

3)POOR LEADERSHIP IN PAST - Legacy of the past may be negative – elitism.

4)INHERITED POWER DOES NOT GUARANTEE GOOD LEADERSHIP - May not be prepared.

Aristocracy/Oligarchy: A government in which the power is in the hands of a few persons or a small group (who have the combined power of a dictator.)

Advantages:

1)FAST DECISIONS - Decisions can be made relatively quickly.

2)BEST PEOPLE CHOSEN - May provide expert leadership while avoiding the danger of one-person rule.

3)INTELLIGENCE - In theory, they are the most educated members of society.

4)SOME DIFFERENT IMPUT - Members of the oligarchy listen to each other - they work together to rule.

Disadvantages:

1)ELITISM - Concerns of the lower classes may be ignored.

2)CORRUPTION - Rich will benefit more than the poor – the rich get richer and the poor get poorer

3)SAME AS DICTATORSHIP

Direct Democracy: Government in which all citizens have equal power in decision-making.

Advantages:

1)LOTS OF IMPUT - Every citizen has equal power in matters of government. Every citizen is involved in the decision-making.

2)INVOLVMENT OF PEOPLE - Since all citizens are involved in decision-making, there is a broad base of support and loyalty.

3)CHOICES & FREEDOM - Individual liberties are protected.

Disadvantages:

SIZE LIMITS SUCCESS - Only works when a small number of people are involved. Ability to gather all citizens in one place is necessary.

NEED TIME - Decision making involving all citizens is time-consuming. All citizens give input, debate, etc.

Representative Democracy: Government in which people elect representatives who hold the decision making power.

Advantages:

1)VOICE OF PEOPLE HEARD - Citizens are involved in decision making through their representatives, lobbying, and voting.

2)RE-ELECTION A CONCERN - Representatives are aware their jobs depend on meeting the needs of their constituents.

3)REPRESENT DIVERSE GROUPS - More likely that all elements of the population are represented.

4)QUALITY LEADERS - Generally, reps are educated, more capable citizens who can devote time needed to solve complex problems.

Disadvantages:

1)TIME & COMPROMISES - Decision-making is time consuming. Desire of representatives to please everyone may cripple system.

2)INDIVIDUALS - Representatives may not always agree with those they represent.

3)MAJORITY RULES - Lack of involved citizenry may allow special interest groups to influence or dominate representatives.

Constitutional Monarchy: A parliament, consisting of elected officials, and a monarchy rule together under a constitution.

Advantages:

1)CHOICE - Concerns of all classes and people are addressed

2)COMPETITON - Checks and balances because of the two areas of government

3)NEW & OLD IDEAS - A progressive form of government that still keeps some tradition

Disadvantages:

1)DIVISION OF THOUGHTS - Competition between the two areas of government

2)TIME - Decision making process is slow – too much negotiation

3)DIVISION OF GROUPS - Power struggle can lead to armed conflict

Fascism/Nazism: A movement of large masses, with new leaders chosen from the rank and file. It celebrates the nation or the race as an organic community transcending all other loyalties. It emphasizes a myth of national or racial rebirth after a period of decline or destruction. Characterized by strong militarism, secret police, demonstrations or power, etc.

Advantages:

1)LIMITS DISSENT - Keeps political opponents quiet – no disturbance

2)FAST - Decision making process is quick

3)RECOGNITION - Good leaders can take all the credit

4)SOLIDARITY - Unifies the nation - patriotic

Disadvantages:

1)PREVENTS CRITICISM - No alternative views are accepted

2)USE OF FORCE - Brutal violence and repression

Communism: The government owns all land and property; all production and distribution is controlled by the state; in theory everyone is equal and works towards sharing the wealth.

Advantages:

1) EQUALITY - Everyone is treated the same, no social classes.

2) SHARED RESSOURCES – Government has access & shares all with people.

3)CO-OPERATION – Country & people benefit.

4)SHARED BELIEFS – All have common ideas.

Disadvantages:

1) POSSIBLE CORRUPTION – Some leaders could take more for themselves.

2) NO INDIVIDUALITY – No reason to work hard or excel, all the same (no extra $ or benefits).

It is important for all citizens in a democracy to know the basic difference between constitutional and non-constitutional governments. Distinguishing characteristics are limited government and unlimited government.

The following information briefly outlines the most common forms of government. Carefully read the information and decide on three (3) advantages that maybe associated with these types of governments and three (3) disadvantages that maybe associated with these types of governments. Then try to think of examples where these governments exist in the real world. You may use one historical example for each.

Dictatorship: Power is in the hands of one individual, who usually has the support or control of the Military.

Advantages:

1)______

2)______

3)______

Disadvantages:

1)______

2)______

3)______

Countries: ______

Theocracy: A combination of strong national pride and strong religious beliefs that has led to the control of the government by religious leaders.

Advantages:

1)______

2)______

3)______

Disadvantages:

1)______

2)______

3)______

Countries: ______

Monarchy: Power is inherited and passed down the royal family line.

Advantages:

1)______

2)______

3)______

Disadvantages:

1)______

2)______

3)______

Countries: ______

Aristocracy/Oligarchy: Form of government in which the power is in the hands of a few persons or small group (who have the combined power of a dictator.)

Advantages:

1)______

2)______

3)______

Disadvantages:

1)______

2)______

3)______

Countries: ______

Direct Democracy: Government in which all citizens have equal power in decision-making.

Advantages:

______

Disadvantages:

______

Representative Democracy: Government in which people elect representatives who hold the decision making power.

Advantages:

1)______

2)______

3)______

Disadvantages:

1)______

2)______

3)______

Countries: ______

Constitutional Monarchy: A parliament, consisting of elected officials, and a monarchy rule together under the constitution.

Advantages:

1)______

2)______

3)______

Disadvantages:

1)______

2)______

3)______

Countries: ______

Fascism/Nazism: A movement of large masses, with new leaders coming from the rank and file. It celebrates the nation or the race as an organic community transcending all other loyalties. It emphasizes a myth of national or racial rebirth after a period of decline or destruction. Characterized by strong militarism, secret police, demonstrations of power, etc…

Advantages:

1)______

2)______

3)______

Disadvantages:

1)______

2)______

3)______

Countries: ______

Communism: The government owns all land and property, all production and distribution is controlled by the state, in theory everyone is equal and works towards sharing the wealth.

Advantages:

1)______

2)______

3)______

Disadvantages:

1)______

2)______

3)______

Countries: ______