Types of Governments Review

Explore autocracy vs. democracy! Understand citizen roles and government power with this review worksheet.

Government and its citizens What is a government exactly? A governmentis a body with the power to make laws, enforce those laws, and interpret the laws when disagreements arise. A government also oversees the general welfare of its people.Who gets to participate?One way to classify a government is by its level of citizen participation. Are citizens allowed to vote? Can citizens run for political office? Can citizens voice their ideas and opinions freely without punishment? The answers to these questions can help you determine whether the government is more autocraticor more democratic. Autocratic and democratic are complete opposites!Autocracy"Rule by one"One leader holds all the power, often by inheritance or by using military force. Citizens have little to no opportunity to participate in the government process. Citizens typically do not have the right to vote. In addition, citizens' rights and freedoms are often limited or unprotected by the law.Democracy"Rule by the people"The people hold the supreme power. Citizens exercise their power directly or by electing representatives to govern for them. Citizens have many opportunities to participate in the government process. Usually, citizens exercise their power by voting for officials to represent them. In addition, citizens rights and freedoms are often protected by the law. For each statement, determine if it is talking about an autocracy or a democracy autocracy One ruler or leader holds all the power Citizens' rights and freedoms are limited. Citizens have little choice in who leads the government. Citizens have few opportunities to participate in government. democracy The people (citizens) hold all the power. Citizens' rights and freedoms are protected by law. Citizens typically vote to elect leaders in government. Citizens have many opportunities to participate in government. Autocracy vs Democracy Make your voice heard in a democracy!In a democracy, citizens have many ways to express themselves and participate in the government process. This is because a democracy is all about making the voice of the people heard!Voting is one of the main ways citizens participate in the government of a democracy. Voting allows citizens to assert their power over what the government does and the laws it makes. Free elections, held every few years, ensure that power is passed peacefully from one political leader to another, when citizens vote to do so. Voting is both a right and a responsibility. Citizens can also participate in the government of a democracy by running for political office, petitioning the government, and voicing their opinions in newspapers, on television, and in other media sources.Stifled opinions, Muffled voices in an AutocracyCitizenship participation is a very different story in an autocracy.In an autocracy, citizens have very little to no role in choosing the government's leaders. Instead, one ruler (dictator) or single political party holds unlimited power. In general, dictators rule by force and are unwilling to give up power without war or other political violence.Autocratic governments limit citizen rights and freedoms, or deny them entirely. People are not allowed to express their ideas and opinions freely, especially if they are criticizing the government. In some cases, citizens can be fined, jailed, or even killed for speaking out against the government.The press also has their freedoms limited by autocratic governments. Newspapers, radio, television, internet and other media sources are often censored to remove content that the government does not want citizens to hear. In your own words, explain why voting is such an important right in a democracy Please use full sentences. Which are examples of a democratic form of government? The United States presidential election Venezuela dictatorship Canada parliamentary elections Match the term to its meaning. Democracy The power and strength of the government are given to it by the people Autocracy One person or group holds all the power, without the participation, or sometimes even the consent, of the people Representative Democracy Form of government where citizens vote on issues as well as elect representatives who make government decisions for them. Theocracy A government run by religious leaders. Dictator Autocratic form of government where a leader or group overthrows another leader or group, often be force absolute monarchy Autocratic form of government where leadership is “inherited” United States Government Identify the three branches of government, what their members are called, and their role in the government. The Bill of Rights-the first ten amendments to the US Constitution Match the rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights to the correct amendment. First Amendment Freedom of Speech, Assembly, Press, Petition, and Religion Second Amendment The right to keep and bear arms. Third Amendment No soldiers, in times of peace, will be quartered in citizen's homes without consent. Fourth Amendment Protection from unreasonable search or seizure of property. Explain the importance of checks and balances, and give an example.