Government

History and Forms of GovernmentSource: The 4 Theories of Government, Gwinnett County Public Schools. and

www.shepherd.k12.mt.us/.../Purpose_and_Origins_of_Government.ppt

Beginning…Families or tribes

one leadercustoms & superstitions

influenced decisions

10,000 yrs. ago established villages little government

provided protection and food

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Ancient Times…

3500 BC small cities w/ servicesrulers usually religious leadersDivine Right - rule came from godMilitary enforced rules

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Where the law is subject to some other authority and has none of its own, the collapse of the state, in my view, is not far off; but if law is the master of the government and the government is its slave, then the situation is full of promise and men enjoy all the blessings that the gods shower on a state.

Greekscity-states 1st democracy Aristotle & Plato 300 BC

Rule of LawThe rule of law is an ancient

ideal, and was discussed by Ancient Greek philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle around 350 BC. Plato wrote:

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Likewise, Aristotle endorsed the rule of law, writing that "law should govern", and those in power should be "servants of the laws."

Thus, everyone must follow the law

Romansphilosopher power from the people

refers to the idea that a government's legitimacy and moral right to use state power is only justified and legal when derived from the people or society over which that political power is exercised.

Cicero people have natural rightsHe insisted on the primacy of moral standards

over government laws. These standards became known as natural law. Above all, Cicero declared, government is morally obliged to protect human life and private property. When government runs amok, people have a right to rebel—Cicero honored daring individuals who helped overthrow tyrants.

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Middle Ages700’s feudal system w/ lord & vassals

In most of medieval Europe, society was dependent on the "feudal" system, which was based on allocation of land in return for service. The king would give out grants of land to his most important noblemen (barons and bishops), and each noble would have to promise to loyally follow him and supply him with soldiers in time of war. They did this at a special - kneeling before the king, he swore an oath with the words "Sire, I become your man." The nobles then divided their land among lower lords, or knights who also had to become their vassals(servants). In the lowest spot in society sat the peasants who worked on the land itself. They had almost no rights, tiny pieces of property - and no vassals.

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Gave way to: Absolute Monarchy

& Constitutional Monarchy (England)

Constitutional Law – all men must obey the law

some court customs still used

rule by divine right & power from the church

Modern TimesColonial governments of the 1700’s had

legislaturesUS and French revolution establish

representative democracyBy 1900’s much of Europe was under

totalitarianismA form of government that theoretically

permits no individual freedom and that seeks to subordinate all aspects of the individual’s life to the authority of the government. In the broadest sense, totalitarianism is characterized by strong central rule that attempts to control and direct all aspects of individual life through coercion and repression.

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Forms of Government

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Aristotle classified government by the number of rulers… he presented his classification of government in three pairs:

Each category could beVirtuous – benefit of allCorrupt – benefit of the ruler

1.Monarchy – Tyranny2.Aristocracy –

Oligarchy3.Polity - Democracy

Autocracy - ruled by one persontwo types

Monarchy - hereditary rulers have the power for life Caesar king, queen, czar, or sultan Rule ideally in a just way

Tyranny / Dictatorship – governed with a ruler with unlimited power Rule usually in an unjust, cruel way

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MonarchyBefore 1900’sMostly Absolute Monarchy - unlimited

power Few Constitutional Monarchy – Limited

power by lawToday most monarchs are ceremonial

executive power is held by a prime minister

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DictatorshipPower acquired & maintained through

fear violence and force war, revolution & assassination

limit personal freedomsdepend on military and policesome gain power legallyToday many still rule

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Oligarchy - Ruled by few people

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Several TypesAristocracyTheocracyJuntaAuthoritarianism Totalitarianism

Oligarchy Cont.

Aristocracy – ruled by a privileged few, usually with inherited wealth social rank & abilityfeel they are superioridea of equality added to decline Saudi Arabia, Swaziland, and Kuwait

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Oligarchy Cont.Theocracy – controlled by priests or

priestesses with civil and religious authority god handed down government.Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Yemen, Afghanistan,

United Arab Emirates, Pakistian, and Mauritania are Islamic theocracies. The Vatican City is the only Christian theocracy, although its laws are still limited to the secular laws of Italy.

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Oligarchy Cont.

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Junta – small group of military officers take control of a government usually one officer takes

power and it turns into a dictatorshipFiji, Thailand

Oligarchy Cont.Authoritarianism– power is in the hands of

the party leaderslegislatures pass without debate party policiesrights usually violatedabsolute loyaltyusually ends up totalitarian a dictatorshipCuba

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Oligarchy Cont.Totalitarianism – total government control

over political, economic, cultural religious, or social activities no personal freedomindividual servant of state…demand absolute

loyalty terror tactics used by secret policeNorth Korea, Burma, Zimbabwe

One political party Lead by dictatorCan be an autocracy (dictatorship)Sometimes an oligarchy (Junta or

Communism)17

DemocracyRuled by many people Two types

Direct Indirect

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Direct DemocracyPeople make the laws themselves

citizens vote on lawsInitiative

In the citizens’ initiative process, citizens draft a legislative bill or constitutional amendment (a “measure”), which they then propose by petition; if the petition receives sufficient popular support, the measure is then placed on the ballot and can be enacted into law by a direct vote of citizens.

Referendumthe principle or practice of referring measures

proposed or passed by a legislative body to the vote of the electorate for approval or rejection.

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Recalla procedure by which voters can remove an

elected official from office through a direct vote before his or her term has ended.

Indirect DemocracyPeople choose representatives to make

laws for themaka. representative demo. or republic

Elect a set number of reps. to a legislative bodycongress, assembly, parliament, senate, council

or legislature

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Geographic Power DistributionUnitary – All power held and given by a

Central GovernmentFederal – Power is shared by central and

local governments Division of PowerConfederate - Alliance between independent

states (countries) that has only the power given to it

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