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Foundations of Democracy

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Types of Government

  • Monarchy – King or Queen has power, may be shared or absolute
  • Oligarchy – A few select people have power
  • Autocracy – One person takes and keeps the power
  • Democracy – Power is shared by the people
  • Anarchy – No formal government

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Limited v. Unlimited

  • Limited government – Gov’t is only allowed to do certain things, otherwise left to the people
  • Unlimited government – Gov’t has total control and authority over the people

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Democracy & Republic

  • Direct – People directly make all decisions, majority rules
  • Representative – People choose representatives to make decisions on their behalf, majority rules
  • Republic – Society run by ground rules/laws, protects majority AND minority

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Constitutions

  • Constitution – Basic set of laws that establish how a government works
  • Allows for majority rule AND protects minority from persecution
  • A “social contract” between the people and their government (a la Rousseau)