The document defines government as a group that has authority to set goals and policies for a country, make laws and regulations, and enforce compliance with those laws. It discusses forms of democratic government where citizens can participate directly or indirectly by voting for representatives. Key aspects of a democracy are outlined such as competing political parties, voting, freedom of speech and challenging government decisions in court. The types of authority and different forms of leadership are also summarized.

1. GOVERNMEN
T
Sacred Heart
College
Social Studies
3 rd form

2. Government
A group of people who have the
authority to:
 Set goals and policies for the good of the country.
 Make laws and regulations defining how people
are to go about achieving these goals.
 Enforce compliance with the laws and regulations.

3. Forms of Government

4. Democratic Government
System of government which allows
citizens to govern themselves by either
participating in the decision-making
process directly or indirectly.
 Directly means you can become a
member of government.
 Indirectly means that you choose
your representatives through voting.

6. Characteristics of a Democracy
 Offer themselves as member of parliament.
 Vote in elections.
 Form competing political parties.
 Choose representatives from at least 2 competing
parties.
 Criticize government policies.
 Have an input in government policies (consultations
or media).
 Challenge decisions of government in free and just
courts of law.

7. I wondered why
somebody didn’t do
something for
peace, then I
realized that I am
somebody.

9. Who votes?
Citizens may vote:
o Natives (Belizeans by
birth)
o Naturalized
Belizeans

10. A Citizen is a native or
naturalized member of a
country, who owes
allegiance and loyalty to
that country and who is
entitled to protection from
the government of that
country.

12. Who can become a
Belizean Citizen
 Any person married to a Belizean Citizen.
 A person who has been a continuous resident for
a period of five years (naturalized).
 A person who makes a substantial contribution to
the economy or wellbeing of country.
 A person is also entitled to citizenship in a
country if his/her parents are Belizeans by

13. Who cannot vote?
 Illegal immigrants
 Persons who are declared mentally
incompetent to exercise judgement.
 Persons convicted and serving
sentences during time of confinement.

14. Reasons/Factors that Determine the
Way People Vote
 Social class in society
 Parental influence
 Government’s performance/the
opposition’s performance
 Local issues in society
 Issues & policy preferences of the
various parties

15. Reasons/Factors that Determine
the Way People Vote
 Length of election and advertising used in
campaigns
 Campaigns and advertising (marketing)
 Economic conditions of country
 Preferences for candidates who share similar
racial, religious ethnic background or gender
and age.
 The perception of honesty, morality and the
ability to lead in particular candidates.

16. Why do individuals refuse to
vote?
Religion
Belief that registered voters are also put in the
jury pool.
Feeling that voting makes no difference
because officials forget people once they are
elected.
Disapproval of candidate their party has
chosen.

17. ACTIVITY
 In a school, students have the
opportunity to elect class monitors and
prefects and student council
representatives.
 Explain two other ways in which the

18. ASSIGNMENT
Suggest to the leaders of
political parties in your
country, four ways by
which they may get young
people interested in
national elections.

19. Other forms of Government
Autocracy
Monarchy
Republic
Oligarchy
Aristocracy
Anarchy

20. AUTHORITARIAN FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
FORMS CHARACTERISTICS
Oligarchy Rule by a small group or the elite.
Rule by a group or an individual, known as a
dictator, who exercises absolute authority.
Dictatorship Dictator’s power is not limited by the laws.
(Hitler and Mussolini)
Dictator control the political party, army and
police.
A system of government which is formed by one
political group.
Totalitarianism
It does not tolerate any opposition.

21. Difference between Authoritarian/
Democratic forms of Government..
Democratic government may:
Form competing political parties
Select their representatives from
among competing political parties.
Make an input in government’s policies.
Criticize government’s policies.
Challenge their decisions in courts of

22. Which of the following best
describes a constitution?
A. A contract between government and
electorate.
B. A contract between government and
the citizens.
C. A contract between some citizens
and government.
D. A contract between some citizens
and government.

23. Which of the following best
describes adult suffrage?
A. The right of some 18 year old to vote
in national elections.
B. The right of only an18 year old to
vote in national elections.
C. The right of all persons 18 years and
older to vote in national elections.
D. The right of all persons 18 years and
younger to vote in national elections.

24. Which of the following best
describes the electorate?
I. All who are eligible to vote to elect a government.
II. All who are eligible to vote to elect a Prime
Minister.
III. All who are eligible to vote to elect a leader of the
opposition.
IV. All who are eligible to vote to elect a parliament.
A. i only
B. i and ii only
C. i and iv only
D. i, ii, iii and iv

25. Franchise is the right
to vote based on
A. Adulthood only
B. Adulthood and citizenship
C. Adulthood and party
membership
D. Adulthood and property
ownership

26. Suffrage is the
right
A. Of all citizen to vote in a national
election.
B. Of only 18 year olds to vote in an
election.
C. Of adult citizens to vote in a
national election.
D. Of people under 18 to vote in an
election.

27. Democracy is a system
of government in which
A. People govern themselves.
B. An individual exercises
absolute authority.
C. A small group exercise
absolute authority.
D. The government is elected by
a small group.

28. Which of the following are
features of a democracy?
i. Competing political parties
ii. A single political party
iii. Free and fair elections
iv. Regular elections
A. i only
B. i and ii only
C. i and iv only
D. i, ii, iii and iv

29. Power and Authority
• Power
◦Ability to exercise one’s will over others
◦Sources of power in political systems
include:
Force: actual or threatened use of
coercion to impose one’s political
dissidents
Influence: exercise of power through
a process of persuasion
Authority

30. Power and Authority
• Types of Authority
Authority: institutionalized power recognized
by people over whom it is exercised
Traditional Authority: legitimate power
conferred by custom and accepted practice
Charismatic Authority: power is made
legitimate by leader’s exceptional personal
or emotional appeal to his or her followers
Legal-Rational Authority: power is
made legitimate by law

31. Types of Leaders
 Democratic Leader
 Is not arrogant or tyrannical.
 Involves members in the decision making process.
 Accepts suggestions from others in the group.
 Utilizes talents and skills from all members in the group.
 Authoritarian Leader
 Orders and Commands.
 Does no share decision-making.
 Everyone is required to follow his instructions.
 He does as he sees fit.
 He believes getting the task done is the major priority.
 Laissez-faire Leader
 Does no show much concern for other members of the
group.
 Group members function separate from one another.
 Little attention is paid to the goals of the group.
 Leader involvement is minimal. Leader has little influence on
the members.

32. Government types
- Game