POLS 1101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1+2: Limited Government, Direct Democracy, Social Equality
24 Dec 2020
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Politics refers to the struggles and conflicts over the structure, leadership and policies of government. Government exists to provide public goods, however, there is usually disagreement about what goods are essential and how they should be provided. Autocracy - a single leader, usually a monarch or dictator. Oligarchy - where a small group is in power. Democracy - where the people are in power. In order of limited no limits on the power of the top official(s): The bourgeoisie was the force behind the imposition of limits on the government during the 16th and 17th centuries. Bourgeoisie means freeman of the city and represents the middle class. They sought to change parliaments from aristocratic institutions. While only fighting for their own interests, they had common undertones of what we now consider basic freedoms. They favored property requirements and restrictions that limited participation in government to the upper and middle classes.
