Chapter 2 - Forms of Government Pros/Cons

Monarchy

• Efficient decision-making process due to centralized power.

• Clear succession line enhances stability and continuity.

• Loyalty to the monarch fosters national unity.

• Leadership equality can fluctuate significantly, causing disparities.

• Modern governance complexities may exceed the abilities of most monarchs.

Dictatorship

• Centralization of power in one leader allows for quick and effective government actions.

• Control over military and police contributes to maintaining order and peace.

• Potential for human rights abuses against dissenters is high.

• Dictators often contend with questions regarding their legitimacy.

Theocracy

• A state-supported religion can strengthen political and social cohesion.

• Ensures that political actions align with the moral values and beliefs of the populace.

• Religious minorities may face discrimination and oppression.

• Larger states struggle to maintain religious homogeneity, complicating governance.

Single Party State

• Absence of competing political parties can reduce power struggles.

• Legislative processes may be streamlined, allowing for expedient lawmaking.

• The elite's views may not represent the general population, causing societal unrest.

• Political dissenters often find themselves excluded from decision-making.

Direct Democracy

• Empowers every citizen to participate in decision-making.

• Policy decisions tend to carry broad public support.

• The process can be labor-intensive and time-consuming for participants.

Parliamentary Democracy

• Majority party alignment with the prime minister eases legislative passage.

• Lack of separation between executive and legislative branches can diminish checks on power.

• Instability can arise from the possibility of the prime minister being forced to resign.

Presidential Democracy

• Direct election of presidents enhances accountability and responsiveness to public needs.

• Presidents typically have stronger public support than prime ministers from parliament.

• Separation of powers allows for mutual oversight between branches of government.

• Stability may be greater than in systems where prime ministers can be easily dismissed.

• Difficulty in impeaching presidents before their term ends can lead to prolonged term limits.

• Legislative gridlock can occur if the president and legislature are from different parties.

• Potential exists for presidents to exploit their power to create authoritarian governance.