This document discusses different forms of government and how political power is distributed in societies. It defines seven main forms of government: monarchy, dictatorship, theocracy, single-party state, direct democracy, parliamentary democracy, and presidential democracy. For each form of government, it provides a brief definition and lists some potential pros and cons in how political power is distributed and exercised in that system.

3. The Nature of Power, Politics, and Government
Learning Outcomes
1. Understand why it is important to care
about power, politics, and government.
2. Evaluate and rate multiple „power
quotes‟ using the rating scale provided
in class.
3. Create a chart that portrays the five
“political games” that are commonly
played in politics.

4. Kickoff Question: Nature of Power, Politics, and Government

5. Focus Question: Nature of Power, Politics, and Government

6. The Nature of Power, Politics, and Government
History: Most Americans Distrust Gov…
Still…We Look to Gov. to Provide For Us
Formal Authority = Legal and Official
Legitimacy = We ‘Accept’ That They Lead
John Locke = Social Contract = Give to Get
How Can Gov. Give Us What We Want?
A Gov. Must Use Coercion and Collect $$$
Politics= People Work to Influence Groups
Politics = Competition = A Game
Why Should You Care About Power, Politics, and Government?

8. Processing
“ Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power.
We have guided missiles and misguided men.
”
Martin Luther King Jr.
Strength to Love, 1963
The quote above is…
1 2 3 4 5
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True
8

9. Processing
“ Power tends to corrupt, and
absolute power corrupts absolutely.
”
Lord Acton
Letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton, 1887
The quote above is…
1 2 3 4 5
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True
9

10. Processing
“ It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing
power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the
”
scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.
Aung San Suu Kyi
“Freedom from fear” speech, 1990
The quote above is…
1 2 3 4 5
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True
10

11. Processing
“ Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.
”
Mao Zedong
The quote above is…
1 2 3 4 5
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True
11

12. Processing
“ Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no
weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable
”
as the will and moral courage of free men and women.
Ronald Reagan
First Inaugural Address, 1981
The quote above is…
1 2 3 4 5
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True
12

13. Processing
“ When I despair, I remember that all through history
the ways of truth and love have always won. There
have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they
”
can seem invincible, but in the end they always fail.
Mohandas Gandhi
The quote above is…
1 2 3 4 5
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True
13

14. Processing
“ When the power of love overcomes the
love of power, the world will know peace.
”
Jimi Hendrix
The quote above is…
1 2 3 4 5
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True
14

15. Processing
“ This country has been strip-mined by
rich and powerful interests. If you don’t
”
like what they’re doing, don’t just sit there.
Ralph Nader
1992
The quote above is…
1 2 3 4 5
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True
15

16. Processing
“ The men who create power make an
indispensable contribution to the Nation’s
greatness, but the men who question power
”
make a contribution just as indispensable.
John F. Kennedy
Speech at Amherst College, 1963
The quote above is…
1 2 3 4 5
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True
16

17. Game Description Example

18. Game Description Example
Horse Trading Give up something in Missouri Compromise
exchange for something of
equal or greater value. Win-win
situation.
Walkout Walk out and refuse to return Cesar Chavez and the
until the opposition agrees to Grape Strike
give them something they
want.
Power Struggle Trying to win by outfoxing or Cuban Missile Crisis
overpowering their opponents.
A Machiavelli idea.
Demolition Derby The goal is complete Roman Army
destruction of your opponent. Third Punic War
Eliminate real and perceived
enemies.
Civil Disobedience Publicly shame the opposition Mohandas Gandhi
by deliberately disobeying
what they think is an unjust
law.

19. Exit Slip: Nature of Power, Politics, and Government

21. Five Sources of Power
Learning Outcomes
1. Construct a diagram that shows the
five sources of power commonly used
by people in a position of authority.
2. Read the primary source document by
Machiavelli titled “The Prince”, and
answer questions based on your
analysis of the document.

22. Kickoff Question: Five Sources of Power

23. Focus Question: Five Sources of Power

24. Expertise
Formal Authority Coercion
Persuasion Rewards

25. Expertise
Power derives from
the power holder’s
Formal Authority specific skills or Coercion
Power comes from Power springs from
expertise.
the holder’s the power holder’s
position and duties ability to punish or
within organization. penalize others.
Persuasion Rewards
Power flows from Power comes from
the power holder’s the power holder’s
ability to persuade ability to give
or influence others. something of value.
(such as money)

28. Comparing Forms of Government
Learning Outcomes
1. Evaluate various ways that political
power is distributed in a society.
2. Design a visual that explains and
analyzes the pros and cons of various
forms of government around the world.
3. Use your pro and con visual to sketch
symbols that represent the seven
different forms of government.

29. Kickoff Question: Comparing Forms of Government

30. Focus Question: Comparing Forms of Government

31. Comparing Forms of Government
All Societies Develop Gov.- Simple or Not?
Many Forms and Varieties of Gov.
Monarchy: Rule by 1 Hereditary Ruler
Theocracy: Rule by Few Religious Leaders
Single-Party: Political Elite (Communism)
Direct Democracy: Rule by ALL Citizens
Parliamentary Dem: Legislative Majority
President Dem: Rep. of People (US)
Federalism: National, State, Local
How Should Political Power Be Distributed in a Society?

32. Term Definition Pro Con
Monarchy
Dictatorship
Theocracy
Single-Party State
Direct Democracy
Parliamentary
Democracy
Presidential
Democracy

33. Term Definition Pro Con
Monarchy 1 rule exercises power Clear line of Quality of leadership
based on divine right. succession. can vary.
Dictatorship 1 ruler based on control 1 person can get Power can be used to
of military and police. things done quickly. abuse citizens.
Theocracy Government by religious 1 Religion promotes Religious minorities
leaders. political unity. often persecuted.
Single-Party State 1 political party allowed Easier to pass laws. People with different
to govern. views shut out.
Direct Democracy Citizens vote directly by Each citizen has an Very time-consuming
ballot. equal say. for citizens.
Parliamentary Voters elect lawmakers, Majority votes with No real ‘check’ on
Democracy lawmakers choose leader Prime Minister. Prime Minister.
Presidential Voters elect lawmakers Separation of Power Gridlock when Pres.
Democracy and elect President. allows ‘check’. not from maj. party.

35. Exit Slip: Comparing Forms of Government