POLITICAL SYSTEMS

SIX MAJOR SYSTEMS

• Anarchy
• Theocracy
• Democracy
• Oligarcy
• Monarchy
• Republic

WHY IS UNDERSTANDING POLITICAL SYSTEMS IMPORTANT?

ANARCHY

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• Functions as a mechanism to transition between an existing political system and another more desirable system

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• Occurs when the population revolts against a government system and breaks it down
• Government no longer has any power over the people
• No rules or laws govern population, every man for themselves

THEOCRACY

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• A political system in which all the governmental power is held my a religious organization
• Clergy leaders are the authority figures
• Tenants of the religion dictate rules, laws and social norms
• Citizenry is accountable to the church and its leaders
• Example: The Vatican

DEMOCRACY

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• A form of government in which the citizens are directly involved in the government process
• All citizens vote on laws and governance
• Citizens have a duty to be active participants in all aspects of the government
• Often required having slaves or underpaid servants to facilitate full time participation in politics by citizens

OLIGARCHY

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• A from of government where a small group operates the government
• All powers are vested in the leaders who make all decision and pass all laws
• No participation by citizens in government and law making
• Usually wealthy ruling class of high education
• Can also occur after a coup or shift from a period of Anarchy

MONARCHY

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• A form of government where all power rests in a King or Queen
• The word of the monarch is law, no constitution or citizen participation
• The monarch is above the law or is the law and can change it at will
• Established by family blood lines and passed from parent to child
• Kingship established through display of power, wars and conquest

REPUBLIC

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• A political system where the citizens have a quasi active roll in government
• Citizens vote on who will represent them in their government
• Representatives are charged with carrying out the desires and requests of the constituents who elected them

CURRENT SYATEM IN THE UNITED STATES

CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC

• Form of government is based on a constitution
• The constitution is the supreme law of the land and creates the rule of law
• Grants rights and protections to the citizenry
• Limits government power by reverting all powers not granted in the constitution back to the states