UNIT 5: POLITICAL SYSTEMS AND THE WORLD TODAY
18. Types of Authoritarianism
Authoritarianism can take many different forms. You learned in Unit Four that the Soviet Union was a totalitarian one-party state. Read the following ways an authoritarian government can operate - can you decide which one fits Nazi Germany?
Click on the words below to expand:
An oligarchy is a government led by an elite group or family. Most monarchies began as oligarchies.
One family took over leadership, often through violent means, and then passed the title to another family member in each succeeding generation.
Example: The only recent example is Syria, where Hafaz al Asad took power through military means in 1963. On his death, his son Bashar al Asad became "president" as the only candidate in the election.
Example: The only recent example is Syria, where Hafaz al Asad took power through military means in 1963. On his death, his son Bashar al Asad became "president" as the only candidate in the election.
Absolute monarchy is a hereditary system in which power is handed down through the ages. Britain,
France, and most European nations were absolute monarchies at one time. Most monarchies today are constitutional monarchies in which the hereditary ruler is a figurehead and the real power is held by an elected Prime Minister and legislature.
Example: The House of Saud, led by King Saud of Saudi Arabia, is one of the few absolute monarchies today. He is part of a large and powerful family that controls the nation and its vast oil wealth.
Example: The House of Saud, led by King Saud of Saudi Arabia, is one of the few absolute monarchies today. He is part of a large and powerful family that controls the nation and its vast oil wealth.
Theocracy
is a government in which one individual is the undisputed ruler and is selected through religious beliefs.
Example: Iran became an "Islamic Republic" in 1979 after the majority voted for the people's sovereignty to be replaced by the "absolute sovereignty of God". Under the constitution of Iran, which merges elements of democracy and theocracy, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran shares power with the elected president. Ali Hoseini-Khameni was selected by the Assembly of Experts, a panel of elected Islamic scholars. Although Iran has an president elected by universal suffrage, the Supreme Leader has greater powers that spring from the religious beliefs and traditions of Islam.
Example: Iran became an "Islamic Republic" in 1979 after the majority voted for the people's sovereignty to be replaced by the "absolute sovereignty of God". Under the constitution of Iran, which merges elements of democracy and theocracy, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran shares power with the elected president. Ali Hoseini-Khameni was selected by the Assembly of Experts, a panel of elected Islamic scholars. Although Iran has an president elected by universal suffrage, the Supreme Leader has greater powers that spring from the religious beliefs and traditions of Islam.
Military dictatorship is by far the most common type of authoritarian government
operating today. In this system, political groups come to power through military might by overthrowing the existing government through a military junta. Key military personnel occupy key government positions and control all legislative and
executive functions of government. Civilians take advisory roles only, or they might be figureheads to make the regime seem legitimate. Power is maintained through fear and tyranny. However, individual rights may still be strong although they
will not include the right to participate in political decision-making. Dictatorships can try to work for the collective good or for the benefit of the ruling class, and they might choose capitalist, socialist, or communist economic systems.
Example: Myanmar is a military dictatorship.
Example: Myanmar is a military dictatorship.
Under a one-party state, only one party forms the government
and no other party is permitted to run candidates for election. Under this political system, democracy may appear to exist because people vote. Or people may vote for party members who have real power. However, if only one party runs for power,
the voters have no choice; it is impossible to tell if the will of the people is reflected. One-party states are often communist states that describe themselves as the people's republic, a democratic republic, or a socialist republic, inferring
that they embody the will of the people.
Examples: The People's Republic of China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea today, and until recently, the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party in Iraq under Saddam Hussein
Examples: The People's Republic of China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea today, and until recently, the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party in Iraq under Saddam Hussein
Minority tyranny occurs when a minority rules
over the majority. This group enjoys full rights under the law, but it restricts the rights of the majority. Historically, this occurred in many colonized nations around the world during imperialism when First Nations people could not vote
but the immigrants from France, England, and other nations could. Canada's First Nations people were first allowed to vote in federal elections in 1960.
Example: South Africa under apartheid was the wealthy white class ruling over the majority of blacks in South Africa.
Example: South Africa under apartheid was the wealthy white class ruling over the majority of blacks in South Africa.
Read "Authoritarian Political Systems" pages 357 to 360 of your text Perspectives on Ideology.