Why+Government?

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Imagine what would happen if people could do exactly what pleased them, they would not care about anyone else but themselves and their own interest. That’s why we need someone to be in charge of the country and its citizens. We need government because it helps to keep the society stable by making sure that all the problems a population may have are solved. It also keeps the citizens happy and satisfied. Government leads the people and keeps things running in a society. It maintains order and prevents social chaos by creating laws and constitutions to protect people from anything bad, to guide people and to help people live their life in a civilized manner. Government plays an important role in our life. It makes sure that the country is healthy, safe and free. And it provides the people goods and services in order to have a happy and balanced community. Without a government everything would fall apart. =====

** Here is an interesting video created by the John Birch Society. Watch it and complete the following http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVsjZBy7hww&feature=player_embedded Define democracy. **
- a system of government by the whole population or the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. - is a political government carried out either directly by the people or by means of elected representatives of the people. - majority rule.

- a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch. - is a type of government where the citizens choose their leaders of their country.
 * Define Republic.**


 * Do you agree with this interpretation of what a democracy is as stated in the video?

Define constitutional monarchy.** - a form of government with a monarch at the head.


 * List if and why these countries are democracies:**


 * Constitutional Monarchy || Democracy? Why or why not? ||
 * Bahrain || No, because there have a king (ruling family). ||
 * Canada || Yes, because they have elections. ||
 * Saudi Arabia || No, because they have a king (ruling family). ||
 * Sweden || Yes, because they have elections. ||

** Economics** Left || Right || Mao. Communist North Korea China

Sweden || Free markets Margaret Thatcher Ronald Reagan Hitler Saudi India Jordan U.S. U.K. || Canada


 * Reflection: it is difficult to separate the political and economic concepts of many leaders or nations into two simple categories. All are mixtures that require interpretation based on events of history or events of the day. *

**Politics** Left || Right || Liberal Obama Ghandi India Canada U.S. >> || Conservative Hitler Mao Stalin Mussolini Saudi Thailand North Korea China << Jordan ||

· Conservatism: Desire to maintain existing order – change is slow – social norms should be maintained. Group based – community important-

· Liberalism: Change based on individual needs – individual rights more important that groups. Individual decisions priority over group norms.

· Socialism: Equality/ equity/ distribution. Believe in some form of government involvement in creating fair distribution of wealth.