Government: Institution where leaders exercise power to make/enforce laws affecting the people under its control.

Goal: Prevent "Anarchy"
(State w/o Govt. or Laws).

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What is a government?
Why would you want one?

A system with one level of govt.
(Strong Central Govt.)

​​Unitary System

A ​Loose Union of Independent States.
(Failed Twice in the USA)
(Weak Central Govt.)

​​Confederacy

Two Levels of Govt. w/ Shared Power.
(Most Democracies & the USA)

​​Federal System

Definition: Any written set of rules/laws for a govt.

Most Democracies in the world have a written constitution.
Ex: USA -> US Constitution​

​What is a Constitution?

Definition: Any country/govt. that must follow a written set of rules.
(Country w/ a Constitution)

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​Limited Government

One Leader.
(King, Dictator, etc.)

​​Monarchy

Small Group
(Aristocracy or Plutocracy)

​​Oligarchy

Rule by Many
(Direct or Indirect)

​​Democracy

The government controls all aspects of citizens' lives (Dictatorship).

Total Control over Social/Political/Economic Features.
(+50 Nations in the World Today)

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Authoritarian Government

​https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/dictatorship-countries

Definition: Govt. that gives its people Social/Economic/Political Freedom.



Greek Origin:
Dêmos (People) + Krátos (Power)

​What is a "Democracy"?

Citizens vote directly on all laws/issues

Only possible in small settings
(Ex: Ancient Greece)

​​Direct Democracy

Citizens elect Representatives who vote on all laws/issues

Most Efficient/Popular Form

(Ex: Ancient Rome, USA, etc.)

Republic

Many countries are democracies in name only. They simply don't meet the basic requirements.

Ex: North Korea -> Totalitarian Dictatorship

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​The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)

Key Features of a Democracy

​-Citizen Participation: Duty to be informed Voters.
-Regular and Free Elections: People are Eligible to Vote.
-Rule of Law: Everyone Must Follow the Law. (Held Accountable)
-Majority Rule w/ Minority Rights: Protect Small Groups.
-Limited Government: The government is NOT all-powerful.
-Economic Freedom: Govt. allows Private Ownership.