Basic Forms of Government

Question 1

Functions of a Government

Answer 1

1. Defense- protects its citizens and its territory against external threats.
2. Economic Development- helps in the sustenance and growth of the economy
3. Law Enforcement- implementation of laws for peace and order in the state.
4. Legitimation- legislation and administration of justice system.

Question 2

Forms of Government

Answer 2

1. As to number of persons exercising power
2. As to extent of powers exercised by the central or national government
3. As to the relationship between the executive and legislative branches.
4. As to their legitimacy

Question 3

Forms as to number of persons exercising power

Answer 3

1. Monarchy
2. Aristocracy
3. Dictatorship
4. Democracy

Question 4

Monarchy

Answer 4

A government in which the supreme and final authority is in the hands of a single person without regard to the source of his election or the nature or duration of his tenure.

Question 5

Two types of Monarchy

Answer 5

Absolute Monarchy and Limited or Constitutional Monarchy

Question 6

Absolute Monarchy

Answer 6

The monarch rules in virtue of the divine right. He exercises absolute powers, he is the chief executive, the legislator and the judge at the same time. Ex: King Solomon (Bible)

Question 7

Limited or Constitutional Monarchy

Answer 7

In a limited monarchy, the monarch rules in accordance with a constitution or set of laws to be followed. Ex: England

Question 8

Aristocracy

Answer 8

Political power is exercised by a few privileged class. It was practiced before by ancient Greece. Likewise, ancient Rome also had this form consisting of the consuls, the senate, and the tribal assembly.

Question 9

Dictatorship

Answer 9

Ruled by a dictator. Dictator usually would have its way to remain in office and maintain his power.

Question 10

Types of Dictatorship

Answer 10

Authoritarian and Totalitarian

Question 11

Authoritarian

Answer 11

The leader only controls the political sphere of a certain state.
Example: Ferdinand Marcos, Lee Kuan Yew (Singapore)

Question 12

Totalitarian

Answer 12

Controls all aspects of life (politics, education, religion, culture)
Example: Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Mao Che Tung (Mao Zedong)

Question 13

Democracy

Answer 13

Derived from Greek term “demos” which means people and “kratos” which means “rule”. The political power is exercised by the majority.

Question 14

Types of Democracy

Answer 14

Direct: expressed directly and immediately through the people in a mass meeting or primary assembly.
Indirect or Republican: people elect representatives to represent them in the government.

Question 15

Unitary

Answer 15

The control of national and local affairs is exercised by the central or national government. Ex: Philippines

Question 16

Federal

Answer 16

Powers of government are divided between two sets of organs, one for national affairs and one for the local affairs. Ex: USA

Question 17

Presidential

Answer 17

One in which the executive branch is constitutionally independent of the legislature as regards his policies, powers and tenure.
System: Executive, Judicial, Legislative

Question 18

Parliamentary

Answer 18

The executive and legislative branch are fused into one body called the parliament which makes laws and policies at the same time enforcing it.
System: Executive and Legislative (Parliament), Judicial

Question 19

Presidential vs Parliamentary

Answer 19

In presidential system, a president is elected by people, has a fixed term of office, may be removed from the office through legal processes, the bill is written by legislative then passed to executive making the bill more scrutinized as it undergoes tedious process. Meanwhile, in parliament system, people elect the members of parliament, the prime minister is voted by the members of the parliament, his tenure will last until the parliament vote for loss of confidence, and the law making process is faster.

Question 20

How many readings does a bill undergoes in presidential system?

Answer 20

Three.

Question 21

Congress consists of?

Answer 21

Senate (Upper house) and House of Representatives (Lower house)

Question 22

Dejure

Answer 22

Called as the legitimate government.

Question 23

Defacto

Answer 23

Has no legal recognition.

Question 24

The distinction between dejure and defacto only becomes relevant when?

Answer 24

There are two existing governments at the same time. Example: Snap Election in the Philippines during 1986. Cory Aquino vs Ferdinand Marcos

Question 25

A Philippine government is?

Answer 25

Democratic republican (indirect democracy) unitary presidential