political systems. characteristics that define a country: 1.territory 2.population 3.sovereignty...
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Political Systems
Characteristics that define a country:
1. Territory
2. Population
3. Sovereignty
4. Government
Territory
A country’s territory includes the land, water, and natural resources within its boundaries.
Territory
• Def: a geographic area that is owned and controlled by a particular government or country.– Territory includes:
• Land, water, and natural resources.
– A country’s resources may be more important than it’s size• The earth’s natural resources are not evenly distributed.
• Several factors play an important role in how a country defines it’s boundaries:– Natural division (Rhine River)– Geographic factors (United Kingdom)– Political conflict (Poland & Austria)
Population• As citizens of a
nation, people are usually assured of protection by their government. In return citizens usually pay taxes, serve in the military, or carry out other obligations to the government.
Population
• Def: all of the people who inhabit an area, region, or country.– The size of a population does not determine the
existence of a country. • Netherlands
• Population deals with size AND with culture.– Based upon nationality, ethnicity, religion, or class.
Sovereignty• A nation’s
freedom from outside control.
Sovereignty
• Def: a country’s ability to rule itself.– Freedom from outside control– Establishes its own policies
• Geographic factors affects sovereignty.– Isolation:
• UK, Switzerland
– Vulnerability: • Poland & Belgium
Government
• Def: institutions or individuals who have power to make & enforce laws for a country.
– Purpose of government:• Protects society from outside threats• Provides services for citizens• Keeps order
• Governments classified according to it’s structure & basis of authority.
Government Structure
Unitary System Federal System(federation)
Confederation
Strong national government
Local governments at the mercy of national government
Examples: Great Britain, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Greece, Ukraine
Most governments in world are unitary!
Strong national government
Power is divided between national and local government
Examples: (USA), Germany, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland
Strong local government
National government is at mercy of local government (weak)
Example: Confederation of Independent States(former USSR) - Switzerland
Usually unsuccessful!
Unitary System• Type of government
where one central government runs the nation.
Federation• Some powers are given to the national government
and other powers are reserved for more local governments.
Confederation• Smaller political units keep their sovereignty and give
the central government only very limited powers.
Government Authority
• Democracy– Two forms:
• Direct Democracy– People make decisions themselves
• Representative Democracy (Republic)– People elect representatives to do the work of government for them.
– Government of the people• People participate in government
• Monarchy– Two forms
• Absolute Monarchy– King/Queen make all political decisions
• Representative Monarchy (most common today!)– King/Queen shares power with legislative branch– Mix between democracy & monarchy
– Divine Right (“royal family”)
Government Authority• Authoritarian
– Two forms
• Dictatorship– Leaders hold all political power
• Totalitarian
– Extreme form of dictatorship
– Government tries to control all aspects of citizen’s lives.
– Use of military force or terror to gain & exercise power.• Citizens have NO say in their government.
Authoritarianism • Leader or leaders of this style of government
hold all the power.
Dictatorship• The most common type of authoritarian
government. Power is usually held by a single person or very few.
Totalitarianism• The most extreme form of dictatorship.
Monarchy• Leaders of
monarchies are born into power because their family holds political control.
Democracy• Government where
people choose their leaders and have power to set government policy.