Learning About the Roots of Democracy

Complete chart as we move through the activity

4 Forms of Government

  Monarchy Dictatorship Oligarchy DemocracyDefinition        

Meaning        

Visual        

Description

       

Country Example

       

Monarchy• A monarchy is a form of government in

which one person (king, queen or emperor) has the power to make all political decisions.

• The word monarchy comes from the Greek term “monos” meaning single and “arkhein” meaning rule.

• One of the first forms of government

• A monarchy is hereditary

Monarchy in Ancient Greece

• The Mycenaeans of ancient Greece established kings to rule their kingdoms from 2000-1100 BC.

• The people of the villages paid taxes to the king, obeyed his laws and depended upon him for their defense.

• The king relied on soldiers to enforce laws.

• His eldest son succeeded him on the throne.

• The Monarchy disappeared when the Mycenaeans destroyed themselves through in-fighting

• Absolute-power to rule citizens freely (Saudi Arabia)

• Constitutional- monarchy with Parliament and Prime Minister as head of government (UK)

Monarchy

Who makes the decisions in a monarchy?

What are the advantages of a monarchy?

What are the disadvantages?

Why do you think monarchy was one of the earliest forms of government?

Oligarchy• An oligarachy is a form of government

in which a few individuals have all the power to make all the political decisions

• Oligarchy comes from the Greek word “oligos” meaning few and “arkhein” meaning rule

• Oligarchy developed as an alternative to monarchy

Oligarchy in Ancient Greece

• By 800 BC small groups of people began to share the ruling power, those with wealth and power.

• They also enforced their rule with military support.

• Most citizens had very little say in how the city-state was run.

• Oligarchies disappeared when they ruled harshly and their subjects rebelled. Others lost support when they could not solve key problems such as food shortages.

• Alternative to monarchy

• Former USSR, Apartheid South Africa

Oligarchy

• Who makes the decisions in an oligarchy?

• What are the advantages?

• What are the disadvantages?

• Why do you think Oligarchies often developed after monarchies?

Tyranny/Dictatorship

• Government in which one individual has seized power by force and rules single-handedly.

• Tyranny comes from the Greek word “tyrannos” which means usurper with supreme power.

• Over time a tyrant became known as a person who held on to power through cruel and abusive means

• Rarely have they established dynasties. Their power usually dies with them.

Tyranny/Dictatorship in Ancient Greece

• First arose in Greece in 600’s BC

• The middle class became angry with their rulers and demanded more power. The oligarchies refused.

• Previous military leaders responded to the middle class and promised to make the changes they requested. Backed by the middle class, they took control.

• In some areas, tyrants became harsh and greedy and were overthrown by the people.

• Power usually dies with them• Power to govern without consent

of governed• North Korea

Tyranny/Dictatorship

• Who makes the decisions?

• What are the advantages?

• What are the disadvantages?

• Why do you think tyrannies sometimes developed after oligarchies?

Democracy

• Form of government where political decisions are made by all people

• The word democracy comes from the Greek work “demos” meaning people and “kratos” meaning power.

Democracy in Ancient Greece

• Developed around 500 BC in city-state of Athens

• They developed an assembly open to all adult male citizens. This body met 40 times a year and made decisions based on debate and vote.

• A council of 500 ran the day to day duties of the government.

• Parliamentary democracy• Representative democracy- people

elect representatives to make decisions

• Direct democracy-all decisions made by the people

• Ancient Greece, US

Democracy

• Who makes the decisions?

• What are the advantages?

• What are the disadvantages?

• Why do you think democracy developed in Ancient Greece?