Unit 9 Lesson 2 Forms of Govt Flashcards
What a country needs to be considered a country
It needs to be a state, have a certain population, territory, sovereignty and a government. Let’s look at each
A state
A state is a body of people, living in a defined space, with the power to make and enforce laws, and with an organization to do this. A state does not have to check with any higher authority in order to make and enforce laws. Its own organization, or government, is its highest authority.
Population
A population is the group of people who are the members or citizens of a state. A population can be large or small. China has a population of more than 1.3 billion people, while the island state of Fiji has just over 860,000. The population might live in the countryside or city, might be poor or wealthy, educated or uneducated. Populations also have their own cultural traditions, and they usually speak a common language.
Territory
A state’s territory is the area in which a state’s rule applies. A state must have set boundaries. However, countries do not always agree on what each other’s boundaries are. Boundaries can change over time. Sometimes they change after a war, when the states involved agree on new boundaries. States can purchase territory from other states, although this is less common today than it was in the past. In 1867, the U.S. bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million.
Sovereignty
Sovereignty (pronounced SAW-vren-tee) is the ability to rule absolutely within a territory. The principle of sovereignty means that all states are considered equal to each other, and no state may interfere in the affairs of another state.
Sovereign states are free to set their own foreign policy, meaning the kind of relationships they will have with other states. States also have the power to decide how things will operate inside their own boundaries. Today, though, if a state is unable to keep its population safe and many people are being killed—perhaps even by the government—the UN allows other states to use military force.
Government
A government is the organization inside a state that controls the actions and policies of the state.
Government’s four main roles
First, it makes laws. In this role, the government provides rules for how things inside the state are run. Second, it is protects the state with a military. Third, it keeps order inside the state, by establishing law enforcement agencies that deal with criminal activity. Finally, it usually helps its citizens by providing services people need.
Direct democracy
Direct Democracy - all citizens have a chance to participate. The people directly control and are responsible for the laws that govern their society. All citizens can take initiative to create public policy. An example of a direct democracy is ancient Athens where they held assemblies to pass laws.
Representative democracy
Like direct democracy, representative democracy is a government by the people. Representative democracy is a form of government in which people elect leaders to write and manage laws for the country. These leaders are responsible for representing the will of the people and are elected at regular intervals. They are also often bound by a Constitution. An example is the United States.
Monarchy
rule by a king or queen (monarch), and he or she usually gains his power because their parents were rulers (monarchs) also. Some modern monarchies like Spain and Japan have constitutions, while others do not.
Dictatorship
In a dictatorship power is not inherited, but usually is acquired by force. A dictator has absolute control over the lives of his citizens, like Kim Jong Un in North Korea. Because a dictator has absolute power, opposition is usually suppressed and people are prevented from voicing their opinions.
Theocracy
A theocracy is a rule by god or higher power. In a theocracy, religious leaders usually lead the society and religious law is used to settle disputes and rule the people. An example is the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Oligarchy
Oligarchy means “rule by the few.” This means that a few people hold all the power based on military strength (known as a military junta), family power (an aristocracy), or religious force (a theocratic oligarchy). Oligarchies can often come from or lead to other forms of government like monarchies and dictatorships.
Anarchy
In this form of government no one is in charge! Sounds too good to be true? Think about all the possible outcomes of having no government at all. Remember what Thomas Hobbes said about the state of nature!
