Forms and Theories of Government

Aristotle claimed the nature of government comes from how you answer 2 questions:

1- How do rulers gain and keep power?

2- What is the relationship between the

rulers and the ruled?

AUTOCRACY

Auto = one person

Cracy= power

Autocracy - 1

MONARCHYPower is inherited (Kings, Queens, Sultans, etc)

2 types

I. Absolute- has all power

II. Limited- power checked by others

(England)

Saudi Arabia

Autocracy-2

Constitutional Monarchy

Ruler shares power with elected body, must follow a written constitution. (Ceremonial)

Autocracy-3

DICTATORSHIPGain and keep power by FORCE. Usually during a crisis, people give away more rights

OLIGARCY

Oligos= more than one

Archy= rule

Oligarcy- 1

AristocracyPeople in control because of wealth, social, or religious reasons.

Oligarcy- 2

JUNTAModern day oligarcies. Military rulers.

Oligarcy-3

TOTALITARIANISMLeaders change everything in a nation. Through fear and violence usually

Depend on technology and propoganda

Mao Zedong Hitler

Stalin

DEMOCRACY

“Rule by people”. Leaders represent citizens and are responsible to them.

“Government of the people, by the people, and for the people”

-Abraham Lincoln

Democracy-1

DIRECT

Greek version of “pure” democracy. Everyone has the chance to participate and is expected to.

Impractical for today. Just used in small towns.

Democracy-2

INDIRECT OR REPRESENTATIVE

Elected officials represent people and make laws for the rest

Founding fathers were scared of this because of “mob rule”