POLI 2051 Lecture : American Government Notes
Document Summary
Ancient period: classifies government by the number of people who (the one, the few, the many) Democracy: ruled by the many usually by the poor. Constitutional republic: certain formal barriers that constraint government action the people defines the government boundaries. Characterized by the rule of law (law applies equally to everyone) also has informal boundaries. Ex: family, religion, labor unions, bill of rights. Authoritarian: one in which there is no formal law within the regime that constraints the government actions and has various civil associations that the government have to take into account. Totalitarian: no formal or informal law on the government and no formal constitutional laws. Usually cows the intermediate groups so they have no power. Benefits of constitutional government: our liberties are reserved but it"s extremely complex has many rules so the government doesn"t gain too much power.
