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Venn Diagram Write Details That Tell How the Subjects Are Different in the Outer Circles how the subjects are alike where the circles overlap. Write details that tell how the subjects are different in the outer circles. Write details that tell Diagram Venn Name _______________________________________________ Date ______________________ Subject:__________________________ Subject:__________________________ Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Standards that a government must meet in order to be considered democratic Directions: Read the article and write what each phase means in your own words. Write how America shows this standard as a democracy. 1. Freedom of speech, press and religion – In a democracy, people can say what they think and be whatever religion they want to be. The media can write articles that they want to write. America is a democracy because we have the right to say what we think and we can choose our own religion. 2. Majority rule with minority rights – America 3. Political leaders from different backgrounds America Standards that a government must meet in order to be considered democratic Directions: Read the article and write what each phase means in your own words. Write how America shows this standard as a democracy. 4. Free, competitive elections America 5. Rule by law America 6. Meaningful political participation America How Government Works: Comparing governments By USHistory.org, adapted by Newsela staff on 05.01.17 Word Count 672 Level 630L Governments are like snowflakes; no two are exactly alike. Image by: Newsela staff No two governments are exactly the same, but it is possible to compare political systems. You can study differences and similarities between governments and then categorize them into different forms. One similar distinction is between two types of governments: democratic and authoritarian. Democracies Many countries today say they are democracies. Some governments are more democratic than others, though. In a democracy, the citizens must be involved. If they are not, the government is not a democracy. Governments must meet certain standards to be considered democratic. These standards include: 1. Freedom of speech, press and religion Democracies respect basic liberties. True democracies do not control newspapers or other media. They do not block people from sharing their opinions. They let people safely practice any religion This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. they choose. 2. Majority rule with minority rights Democracies hold free elections. People accept what the most votes — the majority — decide. However, democracies try to avoid the "tyranny of the majority." In other words, the majority should respect the rights of minority groups. These groups may not have won the election. Still, their rights are important. Democracies protect the right of minority groups to share their opinions. 3. Political leaders from different backgrounds Democracies allow citizens from all groups to compete in elections. Their lawmakers do not all come from the same race or social class. They do not all practice the same religion. In democracies, many types of people can lead. 4. Free, competitive elections Holding elections is important in a democracy. But it is just one part of being a democracy. The elections must be fair. The government cannot control the results. Voters must have real choices among candidates. Their candidates should have different views. This ensures that the different views of citizens are represented by their potential leaders. 5. Rule by law Rulers in democracies cannot do whatever they want. Democracies are governed by laws. Citizens have to follow these laws. But so do their leaders. 6. Meaningful political participation Citizens in democracies must be allowed to vote. But the act of voting is not all. Say citizens vote for a candidate. That person must actually take office afterward. Citizens must also have a chance to take part in government in other ways. The government must respond to citizens' demands. If citizens write to government officials, those officials should write back. Citizens must be allowed to work together to fight for laws they want. When a country follows these principles, it can be considered a democracy. Such countries include Canada, France, Switzerland and Japan. The United States is also a democracy. Authoritarian Regimes Authoritarian governments operate differently than democracies. Authoritarian refers to a government that requires obedience. Citizens must do what the government says. In authoritarian governments, one person or a small group has the real power. These governments may hold elections, and their leaders may even meet with their citizens. Still, people living under these governments have little power. They have no say in how they are ruled. Their leaders do not give them free choice. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. Instead, the government makes all the decisions. The leaders decide what their people can or cannot do. Citizens are really subjects who must obey. Kings or military generals often rule authoritarian regimes. Authoritarian systems can also be controlled by other powerful figures, though. These include dictators and rich families. Even presidents may rule authoritarian governments. The leader's title does not always reveal the political system. Authoritarian systems do not allow free speech. They control what the press can say. The leaders tightly control what citizens can say or hear. Some authoritarian governments even control what religion people can practice. These governments do not follow majority rule. They do not protect minority rights, either. Their leaders have final say in all political and legal decisions. No country is entirely democratic or authoritarian. Governments can change. Some change very quickly. Others change slowly over time. These shifts makes the global mix of the world's governments interesting and unpredictable. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. Quiz 1 Select the sentence that best explains what an authoritarian government expects of citizens. (A) Citizens must do what the government says. (B) Citizens should protect minority rights. (C) Citizens choose who their leaders will be. (D) Citizens should not practice their religion. 2 Which sentence BEST explains why a democratic ruler cannot do whatever he or she wants? (A) Rulers let people safely practice any religion they choose. (B) Rulers must all come from the same background and social class. (C) Rulers must follow the laws citizens can help create or change. (D) Rulers are supposed to help protect minority rights. 3 Which sentence from the article would be most important to include in its summary? (A) These groups may not have won the election. (B) They do not protect minority rights, either. (C) They do not all practice the same religion. (D) No country is entirely democratic or authoritarian. 4 What is the main idea of the section "Authoritarian Regimes"? (A) Even presidents may rule authoritarian governments. (B) People living under authoritarian governments have little power. (C) Authoritarian systems control which religions people can practice. (D) Government systems change over time. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com..
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