Download - Government
GovernmentMullin
Geographic RegionsRepresent great clusters of common
human activity or common physical characteristics.
Physical / Natural Characteristics Landforms, Climate, Vegetation
Human / Cultural Characteristics Government, Religion, Ethnicity,
Population, Disease May change over time
Geographic Regions Do NOT have definite borders
May differ based on point of view
Separated from other regions by transition zones
Transition ZonesEdges of regions
An area of constant change where two adjacent regions join
Marked by a gradual shift (rather than a sharp break) in the characteristics that distinguish neighboring regions
Area of mixed characteristics; possible tension between culture groups
Example: Muslims versus Hindus in Pakistan and India.
Video Clip: Gandhihttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4DTX5JPgKc
Look at who is being separated….are they getting along? Do they want to be separated?
Sub-RegionsAll regions can be divided into physical features
and human characteristics Example: United States’ sub-regions may include:
Northeast, Midwest, South, North, West Coast Metropolitan and Suburban areas= human (cultural)
properties Physical Regions (Rocky Mountains, Great Lakes) Texas Example:, Piney Woods, West Texas, The Valley,
Coast, East Texas, Panhandle Region and sub-region boundaries are based on
criteria we establish
Political Geography and Gov
What is Political Geography? The study of government systems from around the world.
What is Government? An organization that people set up to protect their community and to enforce its rules.
Roles of the Gov
To protect life
To protect liberty
To protect the property of members of the community
To provide goods that the people cannot provide on their own
BordersPolitical Borders – determined by government
and are artificial (imaginary lines) Example: North and South Korea
Natural Borders –created by physical characteristics that divide one place from another.Example: Rio Grande River (Mexico and US)
Videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
2Nzm2CidMpM
30 minutes
What are nations and states?
State – an independent unit that occupies a specific territory and has full control of its internal and external affairs. Sometimes called “country” .
Nation – people w/ a common culture living in a common territory and having a strong sense of unity
Nation State – when a nation and a state occupy the same territory
Stateless Nation - some groups have a common nationality but no territory
Stateless-nation Example: Palestinians, Kurds
MonarchyRuled by a monarch headed by a King or Queen (the title).
The ruler inherits their power - when the ruler dies, power is passed to one of the monarch’s children or close relative.
These monarchs (kings, sultans, emperors) surround themselves with followers and advisors who help them govern.
Pros – ______________
Cons – Limits on ______________
Constitutional MonarchyMonarchs share power with an representative
legislature Parliament
Usually the monarch serves as a symbolic head of state while elected members of Parliament govern the country.
Example: United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Jordan
Video Cliphttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-GkrHKcwvo
RepublicA republic is a government without a king or a
queen.
Usually when a country overturns its monarchy it will become a republic.
Republics can be democratic, theocratic, or parliamentary.
An example would be the United States, which is a Democratic Republic
DemocracyGovernment authority is based on the will of the
people.
People either vote on issues directly, or they elect representatives who make government decisions for them.
People have certain rights – whereas they can criticize the government freely.
Types: Direct Democracy, Representative Democracy, Modern Democracies
Direct DemocracyThe very first known democracy was in ancient
Greece in the 5th Century BCE.Democracy is Greek for “people power”.Citizens assembled to make decisions for their
city-states.They voted on these issues directly. This is where
the term direct-democracy evolved from.
Representative Democracy
It is a democracy where different social groups elect their own representatives, who then met in assemblies.
Nobles were represented in the Senate
Government power was divided between two branches and voting was on various issues.
Romans were the first to develop the representative democracy.
DictatorshipOne individual holds complete political power
The leader either seizes control by force or is placed into a position of authority by others
The citizens have little influence over governmental policy and do NOT have the right to choose their own leaders
If a small group holds the power, called an “oligarchy”
Pros – easy, quick to makes big changes
Cons – corruption, dissent is not allowed
ActivityGovernment Comparison Chart
Completed in class over the next two days.Stations are timed. Rotate every 10 minutes.Due end of next week.
Totalitarianism A form of dictatorship that seeks to control all aspects of
social life within a country
This control extends to the public life, private life, communications, economy and government system.
Government also controls television, radio, and newspapers.
Censor of books and articles that criticize the government
No separate political parties, labor unions, or other organizations are allowed.
Government either controls or prohibits all social and religious groups.
Chinese Censorshiphttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeFzeNAHEhU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hooL98OwlMM
CommunismThe government plans and controls the
economy and a single - often authoritarian party holds power
The elimination of private/individual ownership of property or capital
Example: Cuba, People’s Republic of China, North Korea
Pros – Classless Society
Cons – lack of Freedom
Video Cliphttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7B-nlmdX0g
TheocracyGovernment run by spiritual leaders. It is an old
form of government, like a monarchy.
Government claims to be directed by God or divinely blessed. No legal separation between church and state
Citizens of other faiths are often excluded or expelled.
Ancient times rulers were often priests.
Anarchy of Failed StateNo one in charge, only gangs and warlords.
Fueled by drugs or desire to command resources.
Happens when a country collapses.
Example: Somalia, parts of West Africa
ActivityComplete Gov Comparison Chart.
Due at end of class.
9/11http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-B6c6xxXug