1.2 Notes - Civics

Monarchy

1. A system of government in which a king, queen, or emperor exercises supreme powers of government. 2. Originated in ancient times when rulers were considered sacred. 3. Monarchs who maintained power through intimidation or the force of any army/police are sometimes known as autocrats (Ex: czars of Russia). 4. Some monarchies are not authoritarian. 5. In some cases, a monarch's power has been limited in some way by tradition or law. 6. Monarchies still exist in Swaziland (absolute monarchy). 7. Most monarchies are constitutional monarchies (the king/queen is limited by the law). Examples of this are Great Britain, Sweden, Japan, and the Netherlands. Their rulers either share power w/ elected legislatures or serve as ceremonial figures.

Authoritarian Governments

1. Characterized by leadership that controls all aspects of its citizens' economic and social lives 2. Sometimes referred to as totalitarian states because the government has total control 3. Power is concentrated in the hands of one or a few people and opposition to the government is not allowed (Ex: Hitler and Stalin) 4. Sometimes, democratic features appear like an election. However, they were rigged most of the time anyways. 5. There are few, if any, political freedoms like freedom of speech or assembly. (media is owned and controlled by government) 6. Difficult to contain corruption. 7. Use ruthless force or the threat of force to maintain order. 8. People in minority groups were oppressed.

What are the principles of democracy?

1. Citizen Participation 2. Regular Free and Fair Elections 3. Accepting the Results of Elections 4. *The Rule of Law* 5. *Majority Rule with Minority Rights* 6. Accountability 7. Transparency 8. Limited Government and a Bill of Rights 9. Control of the Abuse of Power 10. Economic Freedom 11. Equality 12. Individual or Human Rights 13. Independent Judiciary 14. Competing Political Parties

Authoritarian governments can be divided according to how many people have power....

1. Dictatorship: power is in the hands of one person and that ruler has total control 2. Oligarchy: a government gives power to a few people or a political party (Vietnam and Soviet Union)

A constitution serves several major purposes.....

1. It sets out ideals that the people bound by the constitution believe and share. 2. It establishes the basic structure of government and defines the government's powers and duties. 3. It provides the supreme law for the country.

Constitutions are incomplete for 2 reasons.....

1. No written constitution can possibly spell out all the laws, customs, and ideas that grow up around the document. (Ex: FDR being elected president 4 times) 2. A constitution does not always reflect actual government practice. (Ex: The People's Republic of China has a written constitution w/ statements about the basic rights, freedoms, and duties of citizens. However, the Chinese government does not uphold any of those freedoms.

U.S. Constitution

1787, oldest written constitution still serving a nation today

Direct democracy

A government in which all citizens cast a vote directly on government issues and laws. This can only exist in a small society where it is realistic for everyone to come together and discuss the issue.

Competing Political Parties

A political party is a group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy. To have a democracy, more than one political party must participate in elections and play a role in government. Rival parties make elections meaningful because they give voters a choice of candidates and policies.

*Majority Rule with Minority Rights*

Democratic societies make most decisions according to what the majority of the people want. However, people in democracies are also concerned about the possibility of "the tyranny of the majority." This can occur when people in racial, ethnic, religious, or other minority groups do not agree with the dominant view and lack any power to influence government. If the people in the majority try to destroy the rights of people in minority groups or those with minority viewpoints, then they also destroy democracy. Consequently, democracies are politically tolerant. In democracies, people who are not in power are allowed to organize and speak out.

Transparency

For government to be accountable, the people must be aware of the actions their government is taking. A transparent government holds public meetings and allows citizens to attend or learn what happened in meetings. In a democracy, the press and the people are able to get information about what decisions are being made, by whom, and why.

Other countries w/ written constitutions

France, Kenya, India, and Italy

Individual or Human Rights

Human rights are the rights all people have simply because they are human beings. Democracies respect and protect the dignity of all people. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights spells out many human rights. Many of these rights are reflected in the individual rights that democratic governments preserve, such as the U.S. Bill of Rights. Examples include, but are not limited to, the freedom of movement, religion, speech, and assembly.

Equality

In a democracy, all individuals should be valued equally and should be free from unreasonable discrimination. Individuals and groups maintain their rights to have different cultures, personalities, languages, and beliefs. All are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law. In democracies, individuals and groups have political rights to advocate for equal rights.

Accountability

In a democracy, elected and appointed officials are responsible for their actions and have to be accountable to the people. Officials must make decisions and perform their duties according to the will and wishes of the people they represent, not for themselves or their friends.

*The Rule of Law*

In a democracy, no one is above the law—not even a king, elected president, police officer, or member of the military. According to the rule of law, everyone must obey the law and will be held accountable if they violate it. Laws are known by the people and equally, fairly, and consistently enforced.

Independent Judiciary

In democracies, courts and the judicial system should be fair and impartial. Judges and the judicial branch must be free to act without influence or control from the executive and legislative branches of government. Judges should also not be corrupt or obligated to influential individuals, businesses, or political groups.

Accepting the Results of Elections

In elections, there are winners and losers. Occasionally, the losers believe so strongly that their party or candidate is the best that they refuse to accept that they lost an election. Assuming an election has been judged "free and fair," ignoring or rejecting election results violates democratic principles. Democracy depends on a peaceful transfer of power from one set of leaders to the next, so accepting the results of a free and fair election is essential.

Limited Government and a Bill of Rights

Most democratic countries have a list of citizens' rights and freedoms. Often called a "Bill of Rights," this document limits the power of government and explains the freedoms that are guaranteed to all people in the country. It protects people from a government that might abuse its powers. When a Bill of Rights becomes part of a country's constitution, it is easier for courts to enforce and harder for a government to take those rights away.

Citizen Participation

One of the most basic principles of a democracy is citizen participation in government. Participation is more than just a right—it is a duty. Citizen participation may take many forms, including becoming informed, debating issues, voting in elections, attending community meetings, being members of private voluntary organizations, serving in the military, paying taxes, serving on a jury, running for office, and even protesting. Effective citizen participation builds a stronger democracy.

Control of the Abuse of Power

One of the most common abuses of power is corruption, which occurs when government officials use public funds for their own benefit or exercise power in an illegal way. To protect against these abuses, democratic governments are often structured to limit the powers of government officials. For example, the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of government have distinct functions and can "check and balance" the powers of the other branches. In addition, independent agencies can investigate and impartial courts can punish government leaders and employees who abuse power.

Regular Free and Fair Elections

One way citizens express their will is by electing officials to represent them in government. In a democracy, elections are held regularly, usually every few years. Elected officials must be chosen by the people in a free and fair manner. Most adult citizens should have the right to vote and to run for office—regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity, and level of wealth. All votes should be counted equally. Additionally, obstacles should not exist that make it difficult for people to vote. There should be no intimidation, corruption, or threats to citizens before or during an election.

Economic Freedom

People in a democracy must have some form of economic freedom. This means that the government allows some private ownership of property and businesses. People are allowed to choose their own work and to join labor unions. The role the government should play in the economy is debated, but it is generally accepted that democratic government should not totally control the economy.

Indirect/representative democracy

The people elect reps and give them the responsibility to make laws and conduct government. It is the most efficient way to ensure that the rights of individual citizens (who are part of a large group) are represented.

Constitutional government

a government in which a constitution has authority to place clearly recognized limits on the powers of those who govern - This is a limited government. - A country must operate according to the principles in their constitution to be called this.

Federal System

a government that divides the powers of government between the national government and state or provincial governments - US developed this when it wrote its Constitution. - Brazil is another example.

Unitary System

a government that gives all key powers to the national or central government - The only powers that states or local government have are those expressly given to them by the central government. - Japan, France, and Bolivia are present-day unitary governments.

Confederate System

a loose union of independent and sovereign states - The US formed a confederacy - Federated States of Micronesia is a present-day example

Constitution definition

a plan that provides the rules for government

A ________________ is a system of government in which rule is by the people, either through representatives or directly.

democracy

Democracy is more likely to succeed in countries where most people are __________ and it is not possible without a strong civic society.

educated

Constitutions are important but _________ guides to how a country is actually governed.

incomplete

An ____________ is an establishment practice, or social organization, that does not meet the definition of a democracy.

institution

Written constitution = ?

more precision, clarity, and stability

The US is a representative democracy that does not have a monarch in charge, which makes us a ____________.

republic (a government in which voters hold sovereign power; elected representatives, responsible to the people, exercise that power)

Democratic governments derive their power from....

the consent and trust of the people

Constitutions can provide...

the rules that shape the actions of the government

Great Britain has an ___________ constitution based on hundreds of years of legislative acts, court decisions, and customs.

unwritten

In other democracies, people are allowed to ______ directly on the passage of certain laws or policies through referendum, recalls, and other ballot initiatives.

vote

Democratic Governments: Citizens can....

vote their ruler out of office or legally remove them from office

Most constitutions are __________ in most modern states.

written

A constitution can be _______________ or _____________.

written or unwritten