Government: Its meaning and types

These slides will be helpful in understanding the government and its forms.

1. Unit I (a) Government Definitional Characteristics PLB-152 Modern Government: Concept, Organization and Classification @fslmahmood [email protected]

2. @fslmahmood [email protected]

3. State and Government - Government is an important and defining element of the State, but the both strictly differ with each others - Every state is almost similar in their essence, composition, and ends & objectives. - But the government differs with each others at various points: Organization of government Methods and modes of selecting those who govern The power and authority of rulers Aims and Objectives of the government. @fslmahmood [email protected]

4. Definition - A political system by which a State administrated and regulated. - A system or an institution made of a group of people who takes care or manages a State. A group of people who govern. A particular system of using authority The process @fslmahmood [email protected]

5. Functions of Government There are three primary functions of government in society Legislature: the law making activities Executive: Law enforcement activities Judiciary: to protect rule of law and ensure supremacy of law. @fslmahmood [email protected]

6. Classification of Government - Generally, the classification of government takes place on the basis of the number of people who govern. - Traditional thinkers divided government in types: Monarchy: The rule of a single monarch Aristocracy: The rule of few Democracy: The rule of many - Other kinds governments: Dictatorship Oligarchy Theocracy @fslmahmood [email protected]

7. Monarchy - The supreme authority vested in a single person; Monarch. - Monarch is known by different names in different societies, such as King, emperor, czar, etc. - Monarch deicides each and every aspect of the state affairs. - Supreme. - The authority passed through the hereditary successions. - Roman Empire, Mughal empire, Saudi Arabia, British Empire a) Absolute Monarchy b) Limited Monarchy @fslmahmood [email protected]

8. a) Absolute Monarchy - Monarch is the head of state, sovereign and bound to no one. - Their (he/she) will is the law of the state. - Luis XIV “I am the State.” - They have no legal obligation or limitation. - Empire of Rome, France, Russia, Hungry, Australia, etc. b) Limited Monarchy - The authority of monarchy is limited by a set of written and unwritten rules - These rules defines the degree of power the monarch can enjoy - Because of the limits on monarch’s affairs through laws, it is also called as constitutional monarchy. - All the surviving monarchies of today are limited monarchies. British monarchy is the most suitable example. @fslmahmood [email protected]

9. Aristocracy - A rule of a small group of people, unlike of a single person in monarchy. - Greek word Aristokratia (The rule of best) - Greek philosophers, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, supported it as a best form of government. - They were anti-democrats, blaming democracy for political corruption and degrading society. “Aristocracy is the best form of government in which some particular class plays dominant role in state affairs.” Prof Jellinek - The rulers come from the nobility. - They enjoy exclusive rights and privileges, different from masses. @fslmahmood [email protected]

10. Democracy - Rule of many/all. - Greek word dēmokratiā : dēmos 'people' and kratos 'rule. - A government, in which everyone has share. (Professor Seeley) - Government of the people for the people and by the people. (A. Lincoln) - Power belongs to the people directly or indirectly through representatives. a) Direct Democracy b) Indirect Democracy @fslmahmood [email protected]

11. a) Direct Democracy - Pure democracy - People participate directly in state affairs. - Laws and policies formulated directly by people in referendums and assemblies. - Impractical in the modern states of large population and big land area. - Switzerland runs through the direct democracy. @fslmahmood [email protected]

12. An Assembly in Switzerland, 2006. @fslmahmood [email protected]

13. b) Indirect Democracy - It works through the representatives of people. - Representatives elected through periodic free and fair elections. - Eligible citizens vote to elect their representatives. - This is the most prevalent form of government around world. India, United states are the examples of this. - Representatives make laws for citizens to abide by. - Ruling class is few in numbers, but the power flows through the people. @fslmahmood [email protected]

14. Dictatorship - A single person rules entire state. - Acquired through use of force - Dictators use false propaganda to maintain public support. - They also use charisma over people to gain popular support. - Dictator is the only one who dictates the laws of the state. - No political process or democratic activities involved to elect rulers. - No constitutional limitation to the power of Dictator - No rule of law, no civil rights and liberties of people. - Example: Hitler-Germany, Mussolini-Italy, Stalin-Soviet Union @fslmahmood [email protected]

15. Oligarchy - Rule of few in generic way - A small group exercise power for corrupt and selfish purpose. - Rulers belong to the elite class – Royalty, wealth, Education, corporate, religious and military. - Rule of the bad – Aristotle - Example: South Africa during Apartheid @fslmahmood [email protected]

16. Theocracy - Rule of divine - The ruler regarded as divinely guided. - Ruler mostly comes from the clergy and priest class - Religious law as code of conduct in the state. - Prevalent in the medieval period - Vatican city, Saudi Arabia, Iran, etc. @fslmahmood [email protected]

17. Thank you For your attention