Unit 3: Democracy and comparative government
Statement of inquiry:
Different forms of government shape the functionality of communities and bring rise to changes and evolution of the political system.
Different forms of government shape the functionality of communities and bring rise to changes and evolution of the political system.
Lesson 1The Political Spectrum - It gives you wings!
Should children be allowed to vote?
Should the government provide healthcare to people?
How far should a government help or control its people?
These are all valid and important questions with no real right answer. What makes this really hard to get to grips with is that you can't really answer any of these questions fully with a "yes" or "no".
This is where the idea of a Political Spectrum becomes useful. A spectrum is a word used to describe a variety of viewpoints.
The political spectrum can be roughly represented as this:
Should the government provide healthcare to people?
How far should a government help or control its people?
These are all valid and important questions with no real right answer. What makes this really hard to get to grips with is that you can't really answer any of these questions fully with a "yes" or "no".
This is where the idea of a Political Spectrum becomes useful. A spectrum is a word used to describe a variety of viewpoints.
The political spectrum can be roughly represented as this:
the_political_spectrum_-_it_gives_you_wings_.pptx | |
File Size: | 770 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Task A
1. Click on this link.
2. Make a copy of the diagram for yourself (File- Make a Copy). Move the text boxes to where you think they fit best - do they ALL go to the extreme edges? Or are some along the line?
3. Insert your Google Drawing into your LiveDoc.
Task B
Standard
1. Where do you think your views lie on the Political Spectrum?
2. Explain using a clear example from your Google Drawing and use phrases like, "this is important because."
Challenge
1. How consistent are your political views on the Political Spectrum? E.g. Free healthcare, voting rights, free education, tax rates etc.
2. Explain where you might have differing views using at least two examples (you don't have to just stick to the ones given above)
Keywords this lesson
Political Spectrum - A phrase used to describe a range of opinions about how a government should function
Rugged Individualism - A society that is theoretically set up so that the harder you work, the richer you get. The government won't help you, or stop you.
Socialism - A society that is set up so that people work for the betterment of everyone, including themselves. The government should help this happen.
1. Click on this link.
2. Make a copy of the diagram for yourself (File- Make a Copy). Move the text boxes to where you think they fit best - do they ALL go to the extreme edges? Or are some along the line?
3. Insert your Google Drawing into your LiveDoc.
Task B
Standard
1. Where do you think your views lie on the Political Spectrum?
2. Explain using a clear example from your Google Drawing and use phrases like, "this is important because."
Challenge
1. How consistent are your political views on the Political Spectrum? E.g. Free healthcare, voting rights, free education, tax rates etc.
2. Explain where you might have differing views using at least two examples (you don't have to just stick to the ones given above)
Keywords this lesson
Political Spectrum - A phrase used to describe a range of opinions about how a government should function
Rugged Individualism - A society that is theoretically set up so that the harder you work, the richer you get. The government won't help you, or stop you.
Socialism - A society that is set up so that people work for the betterment of everyone, including themselves. The government should help this happen.
Lesson files
model_of_chinese_social_stratification.jpg | |
File Size: | 57 kb |
File Type: | jpg |
Understanding Culture and its importance in shaping forms of government.
How can we understand cultural differences? Are we relegated to learning from our mistakes, or are there generalized guidelines to follow?
Fortunately, psychologist Dr Geert Hofstede asked himself this question in the 1970s. What emerged after a decade of research and thousands of interviews is a model of cultural dimensions that has become an internationally recognized standard.
Read about the cultures of 100 countries based on Hofstede's Model on National Culture by selecting one country and comparing it to one or two other countries. This free country comparison tool visualizes cultural differences in an interactive bar chart.
Fortunately, psychologist Dr Geert Hofstede asked himself this question in the 1970s. What emerged after a decade of research and thousands of interviews is a model of cultural dimensions that has become an internationally recognized standard.
Read about the cultures of 100 countries based on Hofstede's Model on National Culture by selecting one country and comparing it to one or two other countries. This free country comparison tool visualizes cultural differences in an interactive bar chart.
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Lesson 2: Should a Democracy be Fair or Efficient?
How should a democratic country function? Do you think it's more important to hear everyones view, or choose someone who roughly fits your ideas?
The aim this lesson is to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the two types of democracy.
Task 1
1. Make a copy of either the Standard (click me) or the Challenge (click me) task.
2. Use the information below (and anything else you find on the web!) to move the statements to where you feel they best fit.
3. Insert the GoogleDrawing into your LiveDoc!
We'll use America as an example to understand.
First Past the Post
America uses the First Past The Post system of democracy to choose its Presidents.
The two major parties fight over each individual state (or constituency). If they get a majority of votes in a state, it means they win that state - but it doesn't mean they can elect their Presidential candidate! You can only become President if you win a majority of States.
This works efficiently because there is always a clear majority.
However, this does not necessarily represent all viewpoints across the nation! Some states have more people than others, some states are huge, some are small. None of that is considered here- the only thing that matters is the party that wins that state.
The aim this lesson is to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the two types of democracy.
Task 1
1. Make a copy of either the Standard (click me) or the Challenge (click me) task.
2. Use the information below (and anything else you find on the web!) to move the statements to where you feel they best fit.
3. Insert the GoogleDrawing into your LiveDoc!
We'll use America as an example to understand.
First Past the Post
America uses the First Past The Post system of democracy to choose its Presidents.
The two major parties fight over each individual state (or constituency). If they get a majority of votes in a state, it means they win that state - but it doesn't mean they can elect their Presidential candidate! You can only become President if you win a majority of States.
This works efficiently because there is always a clear majority.
However, this does not necessarily represent all viewpoints across the nation! Some states have more people than others, some states are huge, some are small. None of that is considered here- the only thing that matters is the party that wins that state.
The results of the 2012 election.
The Democrats (in blue) won the Election, even though it looks like a greater areas of red (The Republicans) on the map. However, many of these large states have low levels of population - a clear, efficient majority....but is it far?
Proportional Representation
Now, if America wanted to make its democracy a little fairer, it might consider representing ALL views across the entire nation. This would mean the American would not vote as states (constituencies), but have a single ballot paper for the entire country with EVERY party represented.
This would mean that specific interest parties that would have no hope of ever winning a state might have small amounts of support from the across the entire nation and thus be a part of government. It would mean that more than two parties would have a chance of electing their Presidential choice.
However, it would be hard to show a clear majority in this system - parties would have to join together and make compromises to gain a majority and make a decision!
This system would be extremely fair, but all political decisions might take a long time. This would make it inefficient.
Austria uses Proportional Representation - Look how many views are represented across the nation!
List of Political Parties in Austria:
Social Democratic Party of Austria
Austrian People's Party
Freedom Party of Austria
The Greens – The Green Alternative
Team Stronach
NEOS – The New Austria
Alliance for the Future of Austria
Citizens' Forum Austria
Communist Party of Austria
Forward Tyrol
List Burgenland
Animal Rights Party
Black-Yellow Alliance
Christian Electoral Community
Christian Party of Austria
Enotna Lista
EU Exit Party
Left
Neutral Free Austria Federation
Party of Labour of Austria
Pirate Party of Austria
Save Austria
Socialist Left Party
The Social Liberals
Young Liberals Austria
Task 2
1. Which form of democracy do you think works best for you? Is it more important to be fair or efficient?
Explain as clearly as you can using evidence and phrases like, "this means that...' and "this is important because...".
Keywords
Fair - Treating all people's viewpoints with equal consideration
Efficient - Being as productive as possible wasting no time
First Past The Post - Voting takes place in constituencies. The losers in a constituency get no representation at all. The party with the most constituencies forms a government
Constituency - A group of voters in a specified area.
Proportional Representation - A single voting paper across an entire country showing every political party. The party with the most votes in total across the nation forms a government.
Lesson 3: How Can Democratic Nations Avoid Corruption?
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Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain.
1. What is corruption? 2. Why is this a problem in a democracy? Click here for World Corruption Index. |
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Baron de Montesquieu
The idea here is that if any one branch of government becomes too powerful, the other two can work together to limit its power and potential for corruption.
- -French philosopher who lived in the 1700s
- -Theorised the "separation of powers" in a democratic system to avoid corruption
- -Power should be divided between- The Executive, The Legislature and The Judiciary
The idea here is that if any one branch of government becomes too powerful, the other two can work together to limit its power and potential for corruption.
Task A
Explain who Baron de Montesquieu was in 2 sentences.
Task B: Teacher-Learner
1. Choose who will become an “expert” or teacher on each of the three branches of government - Executive, Legislative, Judicial
2. You will have 5mins to read and summarise the information in this link in 4 to 5 explained bullet points.
3. Executive branch will “teach” first. Teachers need to close their laptops! You will have 5 mins to teach the “learners” in your group what you know! Learners should aim to explain in their own words what they are being taught in 4 to 5 bullet points.
4. We will switch round teachers every 5mins!
Checks and Balances
The idea behind this is that if one branch of government becomes too powerful, the other two can act against them.
Task C
1. Explain why Checks and Balances are important in a democratic system
2. What might happen if someone was a member of the executive branch of government and one of the others?
Keywords
Corruption - Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain.
Explain who Baron de Montesquieu was in 2 sentences.
Task B: Teacher-Learner
1. Choose who will become an “expert” or teacher on each of the three branches of government - Executive, Legislative, Judicial
2. You will have 5mins to read and summarise the information in this link in 4 to 5 explained bullet points.
3. Executive branch will “teach” first. Teachers need to close their laptops! You will have 5 mins to teach the “learners” in your group what you know! Learners should aim to explain in their own words what they are being taught in 4 to 5 bullet points.
4. We will switch round teachers every 5mins!
Checks and Balances
The idea behind this is that if one branch of government becomes too powerful, the other two can act against them.
Task C
1. Explain why Checks and Balances are important in a democratic system
2. What might happen if someone was a member of the executive branch of government and one of the others?
Keywords
Corruption - Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain.
Lesson 4:How Much Power Should a King Have?
This is King Charles I of Britain. He ruled Britain from 1625 to 1649
Big questions were considered under Charles' rule, the biggest one being how much power a King should really hold. Charles himself, as well as many in Britain, believed in the Divine Right of Kings. Let's see what issues this caused and whether you could do a better job! Rules for decision game - You will be asked to decide upon some of the same issues that Charles did in his reign as King. - You MUST make a decision for each one, skipping questions is not allowed! - The decision you take is up to you, but it must try to do as many of the following things as possible; 1. Keep control of your Kingdom 2. Keep the Kingdom calm and peaceful 3. Keep the Kingdom rich! |
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Lesson 5 - Gross National Happiness: Is a Monarch necessarily corrupt?
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck - King of Bhutan. Moved the nation to a democracy...which they didn't like and asked for him to be absolute King again! He said no...
Task A What is a monarchy? Use the template below. List of current Monarchies on the world
Task B
Would you like Hans-Adam II or Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck to be your King? Put your arguments and evidence together. You can do this however you want, but I recommend using a structure like this one. Links Advantages of monarchies to get you started |
Task C
Role play.
Get in your groups of 4. Discuss in your group who you prefer to be the King. Imagine you are the King of that country.i. How do I choose my name? What is your first decree?
What decrees would you make regarding:
1. homeless
2. making peace
3. handicaps
4. family and housing
5. animals
6. drink driving
7. e-sports
8.more jobs
9.environmental care
10. taxes
11.pay and pensions
12. global warming
or any other issues.
Choose a King in your group and make the decree.
Role play.
Get in your groups of 4. Discuss in your group who you prefer to be the King. Imagine you are the King of that country.i. How do I choose my name? What is your first decree?
What decrees would you make regarding:
1. homeless
2. making peace
3. handicaps
4. family and housing
5. animals
6. drink driving
7. e-sports
8.more jobs
9.environmental care
10. taxes
11.pay and pensions
12. global warming
or any other issues.
Choose a King in your group and make the decree.
Lesson 6 - How involved should religion be in running a nation?
We learned in a previous lesson the importance of separating power in a government between the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature. This, theoretically, reduces the chance of corruption and the mismanagement of power.
However, there is one force that extends beyond National borders and often wields global power; religion.
Then religion effectively commands a country, we call that nation a Theocracy.
Many European nations in the Medieval period had to contend with the power of the Catholic Church acting as their legislature, as well as their judiciary. The bible was interpreted by Church leaders and people were tried according to methods dictated by the Church.
However, there is one force that extends beyond National borders and often wields global power; religion.
Then religion effectively commands a country, we call that nation a Theocracy.
Many European nations in the Medieval period had to contend with the power of the Catholic Church acting as their legislature, as well as their judiciary. The bible was interpreted by Church leaders and people were tried according to methods dictated by the Church.
Task 1
Spiritual leaders
Spiritual leaders
1. Can you identify who they are?
2. What religion are they from?
3. What is their role in the religion?
4. How do they rule?
5. Where are they located?
6. How many followers they have?
7. What authority do they have?
8. Why do the followers listen to them?
9. What might happen to them if they disobey?
10. How might this contradict with democracy?
Write your answers using the template here.
2. What religion are they from?
3. What is their role in the religion?
4. How do they rule?
5. Where are they located?
6. How many followers they have?
7. What authority do they have?
8. Why do the followers listen to them?
9. What might happen to them if they disobey?
10. How might this contradict with democracy?
Write your answers using the template here.
Task 2 - Trial by Ordeal: God decides!
The idea here was that the accused would undergo some kind of ordeal. God would be expected to intervene if the accused were innocent and ensure that they made it through the ordeal.
Use the following file to complete the table
The idea here was that the accused would undergo some kind of ordeal. God would be expected to intervene if the accused were innocent and ensure that they made it through the ordeal.
Use the following file to complete the table
how_involved_should_religion_be_in_running_a_nation_.pptx | |
File Size: | 521 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
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Task 3 - Executive orders from Religious leaders
1. Given the belief most religions have in some form of afterlife, why might a law or rule from a religious leader carry extra significance to a population living in a theocracy?
2. What might the consequences be of protest and dissent in a theocracy? How would that be justified?
Task 4 - Theocracies in the world.
1. Look up for an example of theocracy.
Keywords
Theocracy - A government consisting of religious leaders ruling in the name of God.
1. Given the belief most religions have in some form of afterlife, why might a law or rule from a religious leader carry extra significance to a population living in a theocracy?
2. What might the consequences be of protest and dissent in a theocracy? How would that be justified?
Task 4 - Theocracies in the world.
1. Look up for an example of theocracy.
Keywords
Theocracy - A government consisting of religious leaders ruling in the name of God.
Lesson 7 - Do Political Extremes work? Case Study - Communism
How do you feel about sharing?
On the plus side, if you someone has something really great, it's great to have them share that with you - totally fair right?
On the other side, if you own something really great that you worked hard for and were forced to share it...less great?
On a very basic level, Communism works in a similar way. Click here for links:
link 1
link 2
On the plus side, if you someone has something really great, it's great to have them share that with you - totally fair right?
On the other side, if you own something really great that you worked hard for and were forced to share it...less great?
On a very basic level, Communism works in a similar way. Click here for links:
link 1
link 2
communism.pptx | |
File Size: | 413 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
This is Karl Marx.
Marx was a German Sociologist, economist, journalist and diehard Socialist. He believed that, eventually, society would form itself into a system fair to everyone...in essence he was the founder of Communism as a Political philosophy.
To really understand Communism, however, you really need to look at the world in which Marx lived - that of Europe in the 1800s.
Europe at this point was, except for a very small, very lucky few, extremely hard to live in. This was the era of the Industrial Revolution, where families had to move to cities because new factories full of machines had been invented which completely wiped out most small-scale family-owned businesses.
This meant that cities across Europe went through incredibly accelerated growth. As more people arrived each day, rents skyrocketed along with competition for jobs. This was a race to the bottom- whoever would work for the cheapest wage would be given jobs. Factory owners got outrageously rich, creating a rigid class system with a tiny portion of wealthy people propped up on a mass of poverty stricken workers.
Marx was a German Sociologist, economist, journalist and diehard Socialist. He believed that, eventually, society would form itself into a system fair to everyone...in essence he was the founder of Communism as a Political philosophy.
To really understand Communism, however, you really need to look at the world in which Marx lived - that of Europe in the 1800s.
Europe at this point was, except for a very small, very lucky few, extremely hard to live in. This was the era of the Industrial Revolution, where families had to move to cities because new factories full of machines had been invented which completely wiped out most small-scale family-owned businesses.
This meant that cities across Europe went through incredibly accelerated growth. As more people arrived each day, rents skyrocketed along with competition for jobs. This was a race to the bottom- whoever would work for the cheapest wage would be given jobs. Factory owners got outrageously rich, creating a rigid class system with a tiny portion of wealthy people propped up on a mass of poverty stricken workers.
Task 1
1. Click this link to open a copy of the cartoon on the left in Google Drawing. Make a copy of this for yourself
2. Label the drawing where the arrows are. Pick out two things;
i) What can you see happening?
ii) What do you think this represents/ means?
3. Insert the Google Drawing into your LiveDoc.
4. What do you think the message of this cartoon is? (This question is effectively asking you what you think the artist feels about the historical situation being shown)
Tips - Use the following sentence starters to fully answer the question;
"The message of this question is..."
"This can be seen in the cartoon where it shows..."
"At this point in history..."
1. Click this link to open a copy of the cartoon on the left in Google Drawing. Make a copy of this for yourself
2. Label the drawing where the arrows are. Pick out two things;
i) What can you see happening?
ii) What do you think this represents/ means?
3. Insert the Google Drawing into your LiveDoc.
4. What do you think the message of this cartoon is? (This question is effectively asking you what you think the artist feels about the historical situation being shown)
Tips - Use the following sentence starters to fully answer the question;
"The message of this question is..."
"This can be seen in the cartoon where it shows..."
"At this point in history..."
cartoon.pptx | |
File Size: | 152 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Communism
A Communist system essentially aims to remove all class divisions between people in a society and have everyone as equal.
It was invented by a German philosopher called Karl Marx. Marx was writing at a time that saw monumental inequalities in the living conditions faced by people in Europe. He saw the working class, or "proletariat" (Pro - leh - tear - ee - at) as being exploited by the upper classes, or "bourgeoisie" (Boar - jer - wah - zie). He decided that this could not continue forever and that, eventually, the proletariat would rise up and overthrow the bourgeoisie. In their place, small local governments called "collectives" would be established. Everyone would get a vote.
All land and wealth would be taken from the bourgeoisie and distributed evenly amongst the collectives. Everyone would now work for the good of everyone else, not just the few at the top of the system. People would not need to feel hard done by as everyone was to be exactly the same!
Unfortunately, Marx died just before he finished writing about how this would actually happen.
The first Communist nation was Russia, when a revolution in 1917 resulted in the deaths of the Royal family and a Communist system taking their place.
Task 2 - Aspects of Communism
1. Click the PPT file below.
2. Use the Paint Fill tool to change the colour of each text box. Colour it RED if you think this is a positive aspect of Communism. Colour it Blue if you feel it a negative aspect.
3. Insert your work into your LiveDoc with the title "Aspects of life in a Communist system"
Keywords
Communism - Essentially a Political system that tries to make everyone in society equal
Bourgeoisie (Boar - jer - wah - zie) - The rich at the top of society
Proletariat (Pro - leh - tear - ee - at) - The exploited poor at the bottom of a society
Collective - A small group working together to make decisions equally
A Communist system essentially aims to remove all class divisions between people in a society and have everyone as equal.
It was invented by a German philosopher called Karl Marx. Marx was writing at a time that saw monumental inequalities in the living conditions faced by people in Europe. He saw the working class, or "proletariat" (Pro - leh - tear - ee - at) as being exploited by the upper classes, or "bourgeoisie" (Boar - jer - wah - zie). He decided that this could not continue forever and that, eventually, the proletariat would rise up and overthrow the bourgeoisie. In their place, small local governments called "collectives" would be established. Everyone would get a vote.
All land and wealth would be taken from the bourgeoisie and distributed evenly amongst the collectives. Everyone would now work for the good of everyone else, not just the few at the top of the system. People would not need to feel hard done by as everyone was to be exactly the same!
Unfortunately, Marx died just before he finished writing about how this would actually happen.
The first Communist nation was Russia, when a revolution in 1917 resulted in the deaths of the Royal family and a Communist system taking their place.
Task 2 - Aspects of Communism
1. Click the PPT file below.
2. Use the Paint Fill tool to change the colour of each text box. Colour it RED if you think this is a positive aspect of Communism. Colour it Blue if you feel it a negative aspect.
3. Insert your work into your LiveDoc with the title "Aspects of life in a Communist system"
Keywords
Communism - Essentially a Political system that tries to make everyone in society equal
Bourgeoisie (Boar - jer - wah - zie) - The rich at the top of society
Proletariat (Pro - leh - tear - ee - at) - The exploited poor at the bottom of a society
Collective - A small group working together to make decisions equally
communist_table.pptx | |
File Size: | 44 kb |
File Type: | pptx |