The U.S. Constitution was designed to establish a democracy, where the government is answerable to the people, where there is a separation of powers, and where individual rights are protected.[1] It is an American democracy where we as citizens, have the right to vote for our government officials. The citizens hold the ultimate power. As citizens, it is our responsibility to learn how our government works. Civic education, to be responsible members of the community, is key. It is our civic duty to be aware of our own American history and political process.
Around the world, there are different forms of government.
Democracy
The United States is a democracy. The U.S. Constitution created a representative democracy, where those who are eligible to vote, elect those representatives or officials who themselves create laws and establish policy. The rights contained in the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, are still subject to lawsuits and ultimate interpretation by the Supreme Court to determine the extent of our freedoms.
However, the United States is not a pure or direct democracy. A direct democracy is a pure form of democracy where citizens participate in all decision making, rather than elected representatives, such as members of Congress.[2] A direct democracy operates through an assembly of citizens, who themselves, vote on the issues. Just imagine if the eligible citizens were entitled to vote on every issue of the day. Making final decisions would take too long and nothing would ever get done.
There are other forms of government. Below are just a few.
Monarchy
A monarchy is a political system where ruling is vested in a single person for life. In this system, the position of monarch is often achieved through heredity, where the next in line is the child of the monarch.[3] In general, there are different types of monarchies. A constitutional monarchy is a form of government where the monarch acts as the head of state within the parameters of a written constitution. Great Britain is one example.
In an absolute monarch form of government, one person, usually a king or queen, holds absolute and unrestricted power. Succession in usually hereditary.[4] Saudi Arabia in one example.
Oligarchy
An oligarchy is a system where the government is controlled by a small group of people.[5] The term is sometimes used to refer to a government where those in charge are selected from a small class of elites, often financial elites.[6] Here, these elites maintain power and control, while at the same time, providing limited power or freedom to its citizens.[7]
According to worldpopulationreview.com, one such oligarchy is Russia. It was the ending of the Soviet Union that enabled a small group of wealthy individuals to gain controlling interest in the country’s most valuable resources, such as oil. The politicians ruled the country, and the oligarchs ran the politicians.[8]
Dictatorship
A dictatorship is a government system where a single person has the absolute power and complete control. They retain power by using illegal means for the purpose of silencing any opposition, often done by means including intimidation and violence.[9] For example, a time of crisis my result in a military takeover of the country, leading to a military dictatorship in power.
The very freedoms enjoyed by American citizens are unheard of in dictatorships. North Korea is an example of a dictatorship.
These are just a few forms of government.
Why is this important?
Why do we need to know this?
Is one system of government better than the other? Shouldn’t the government be accountable to the people. When a leader makes a decision that is not in the best interest of the people, shouldn’t that representative be voted out? How much of a voice should the people have?
But why should we care about the different forms of government in other countries?
We, as citizens, should be informed, not only about the decisions affecting our local community, but in and around the world. We need to be informed so that we may hold our government officials accountable. When we learn about the governments of other countries, we develop a better understanding of our own government, the advantages of being informed, and the importance of voting for the right representatives to make the right decisions, and the power of voting.
How one country is governed can have an impact on what happens in other countries. For example, in February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, an illegal act that led to war. Russia has criminalized any protest of the invasion and the war it started Ukraine. In a “Civics in Seconds” post published in April 2022 about the origin and purpose of NATO, the invasion of Ukraine was in response to the loss of Ukraine and other republics when the Soviet Union dissolved.[10] Now, the extent to which Russia is being supported by China is a question that the United States, a member of NATO, and the NATO alliance is trying to determine.
Ukraine is receiving military and financial support from NATO. There are some in our government who want to limit and even end financial and military support of Ukraine. But is that position, to withdraw support for Ukraine, in the best interest of the United States? Are those representatives who advocate such a position, making the right decisions? And what would be the impact of the withdrawal of US and NATO of Ukraine? Would that be good for the United States? Would that be in the best interest of NATO, or should that even be a concern? Critical thinking is essential.
Be Informed
Be Engaged
Be Involved
[1] https://civicsinseconds.com/a-democracy-to-fight-for/
[2] https://www.britannica.com/topic/direct-democracy
[3] https://www.britannica.com/topic/monarchy
[4] https://sociologydictionary.org/absolute-monarchy/
[5] https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/oligarchy-countries
[6] https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/oligarchy/
[7] https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/oligarchy/
[8] https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/oligarchy-countries
[9] https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/dictatorship-countries