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Before the Bell1. Write the positive government quote that you selected, along with its author, anywhere on either whiteboard, except for the area of the projector display. Underneath that, write the number and title of the political science course that you selected. Be prepared to explain your quote and the reason why you selected that particular course.

2. Take out your Reading Question Answer Sheet and be prepared for your reading question.

Previous Class: Notes on Topic 1.4 --- Homework for Today: Select a Positive Government Quote --- Select a Favorite Political Science Couse --- Read Unitary State, Parliamentary System, and Presidential System (Online) --- Today’s Agenda: Roll Call --- Reading Question 2 --- Notes on Topic 1.5

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Yesterday and TodayPrevious Class:• Notes on Topic 1.4

Homework for Today:• Select a Positive Government Quote• Select a Favorite Political Science Course• Read Unitary State, Parliamentary System, and Presidential System

(Online)

Today’s Agenda:• Roll Call• Reading Question 2• Notes on Topic 1.5

1.5:Comparative PoliticsUnit 1: Philosophy of Government

Theme 1: Philosophy and History: Roots of American Democracy

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I. Positive Government Quotes Experiment

A. What is it about most of the quotes on the whiteboard that makes them positive?

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II. Recitation of Selected Political Science Courses

A. State the political science course you selected, why you selected it, and what subfield of political science you think it belongs to.

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III. Comparing Governments Exercise

A. Metaphorical Exercise:

Logically classify the following “governments” into three groups of three by writing either a 1, 2, or 3 next to each image to indicate which images belong together in which groups:

Group 1 Group 3Group 2

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When comparing two or more things, we look at similarities and differences. We classify things into groups according to their similar characteristics. However, most things in life are not one dimensional and have several characteristics, just like the images above. It is not enough to just compare these images as being either red, blue, or green, because those words only describe one characteristic—color. While three of the images above might all have the same color, they also have some characteristics that are different. They have different shapes and sizes, which would put them in different groups if we were classifying them according to one of those characteristics. These characteristics and groups overlap when considered together. The same is true with governments. When comparing and classifying governments, all of their characteristics must be considered.

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IV. TerminologyA. Suffixes and Prefixes:

1. The suffixes –archy (n.) and –cracy (n.) both mean “rule.”

a) There does not seem to be any rule for why certain terms use one suffix over another (monarchy, not monocracy, and democracy, not

demarchy).

b) Other Forms:(1) -arch (n.) and –crat (n.)(2) -archic (adj.) and –cratic (adj.)(3) -archical (adj.) and –cratical (adj.)

2. The prefix refers to “how many” or “who” participates in ruling.

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V. Characteristics Used to Classify Governments

A. Governments are commonly classified according to five characteristics: 

1. How many participate in the government?

2. Who participates in the government?

a) Common Examples:(1) monarchy - rule by a king or queen(2) aristocracy – rule by the nobility(3) theocracy – rule by the clergy

Less More

anarchy- rule by no one

autocracy- rule by one

oligarchy- rule by the few

democracy- rule by the people (many)

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3. How much power does the government have?

a) Other Examples:(1) constitutional(2) absolute(3) despotic(4) tryannical

limited

authoritarian

totalitarian

Less More

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4. What is the geographic distribution of power within the state?

a) unitary system – system of government where the central government creates and delegates power to local governments 

b) confederal system – system of government where the local governments create and delegate power to a central government 

c) federal system – system of government where both the local and state governments are created by the people and share power as coexisting, separate entities

confederal

federal

unitary

Localized

Centralized

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5. What is the relationship between the executive and judicial branches?

a) parliamentary system – system of government where the chief executive (usually called a prime minister) is chosen by the

legislative branch from among its own members and the executive branch is intertwined with and subordinate to the legislative branch

b) presidential system – system of government where the chief executive (usually called a president) is chosen by the people and the executive branch is separate from and equal to the legislative

branch

parliamentary

presidential

Combined

Separate

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VI. Other TermsA. Other terms refer more to the economic or social philosophies of the government, rather than the actual structure of the government.

1. Common Examples:a) capitalistb) socialistc) communistd) fascist

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Homework for Next Class1. Listed below are numbered terms that refer to different types of states and/or governments. You will draw numbered Popsicle sticks out of a cup. The number on the Popsicle stick that you draw assigns you that corresponding numbered term. Write your term down, research it, and be prepared to explain what it means and provide one good, original example, either historical or current, of a state that fits the definition of that term.

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1. plantocracy2. socialist republic3. caliphate4. empire5. banana republic6. city-state7. junta8. kleptocracy9. triumvirate10. constitutional

monarchy11. narcokelptocracy12. emirate13. federal monarchy14. protectorate15. exclave

16. commonwealth realm

17. absolute monarchy18. federal republic19. confederation20. kingdom21. Islamic republic22. gerontocracy23. duchy24. principality25. plutocracy26. dulocracy27. dominion28. democratic republic29. mandate30. enclave

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2. Read Chapter 2: Majoritarian or Pluralist Democracy (Online) and Chapter 1: Politics, Democracy, and the American People (Textbook). Your reading question will come from Chapter 2.