Types of government Flashcards
1
Q
What are the five types of government characteristics?
A
- Democratic
- Semi-Democratic
- Non-democratic
- Authoritarian
- Rogue
2
Q
What are democratic states
A
- Characterised by free, fair and regular elections in which governments are elected and accountable to the public = derives its legitimacy from the popular consent.
- There are a variety of political parties allowed to contest - provides the electorate with genuine choice.
- Values liberal rights and place higher emphasis on the empowerment of individuals.
3
Q
Examples of democratic states
A
UK, USA and India
4
Q
What are semi-democratic states
A
- A state that superficially possesses democratic features, but has underlying authoritarian features, ensuring the government won’t willingly relinquish power.
- Not constrained by the rule of law - can amend the constitution in favour of govt, allowing certain political parties to contest elections and limiting media freedom.
- Can be referred to as majoritarian - majority interests are placed above those of the minority.
5
Q
What are examples of semi-democratic states?
A
South Africa, Thailand and Nigeria
6
Q
What are non-democratic states?
A
- Concentrated power in an individual or a select few (authoritarian).
- The govt holds a sole authority for the running of the country, so they are permanent and don’t need to seek the electoral endorsement of their citizens = no democratic legitimacy
- Varies in the despotic tendencies of the governments, with most ruthless in crushing internal discontent.
7
Q
Examples of non-democratic states
A
Vietnam and Saudi Arabia
8
Q
What are authoritarian states
A
- Places power with one individual or one ruling party.
- Power is hereditary and sometimes seized. Lack of accountability as leaders don’t typically relinquish power and the govt doesn’t seek legitimisation from its citizens.
- Governments controls the media and the judiciary acts according to the govt’s wishes - threatening human rights.
- Bans alternative political parties and state control is total.
9
Q
Examples of authoritarian states
A
North Korea and Syria
10
Q
What are rogue states
A
A state which acts in defiance of international norms of behaviour by threatening regional and global stability, through the development of weapons of mass destruction in defiance of international agreements and/or its connections with global terrorism.
11
Q
Examples of rogue states
A
North Korea
