Unit 1: Power and Different Types of Government

1.1: Five Sources of Power

Legitimate

  • Power comes from the power holder’s position and duties within an organization

    • Ex. Doing what your mom/teacher says just because of who they are

Referent

  • Power comes from the power holder’s ability to persuade others to identify with them

    • Ex. Peer Pressure

Rewards

  • Power comes from the power holder’s ability to give something of value, such as money, responsibility, or praise

    • Ex. I’ll give you money/shopping trip if you do this.

Coercion

  • Power springs from the power holder’s ability to punish or penalize others.

    • Ex. If you don't do this I will ground you for a week/take away your phone

Expertise

  • Power derives from the power holder’s specific skills or expertise.

    • Ex. The mechanic tells you that you need new brakes, you dont know if that is true because you don’t have the expertise, but you obey and pay the money anyway.

1.2: What Gives A Leader Legitimacy

  • Divinity: Many rulers have claimed a “Mandate from Heaven” and “Divine Right of Kings”

  • Social-Contract Theory: Developed during the Enlightenment period. Citizens enter an agreement to be ruled if the ruler agrees to protect the people and their rights

8.8.2025

Which forms of government have we had throughout the centuries?

  • force theory: people were forced together for their own mutual needs (water, help with crops, trade).

    • Ex. city-state

  • Athens began the idea of direct democracy in which “citizens” participated directly in every decision.

  • Roman Republic began the idea of indirect democracy in which “citizens” elect representatives to vote for their interests.

Middle Ages, Kings & Parliaments

  • Feudalism

    • Kings ruled as absolute monarchs

    • Glorious Revolution (17th C) Constitutional monarchy est.

Revolution Change Governments

  • American Revolution

    • Create a constitutional democracy

  • French Revolution

    • Created an authoritarian government (Napoleon)

20th Century Totalitarianism

Communism

  • First established in Russia

  • Economic equality through redistribution

  • Communal ownership

  • Opposition held down through violence

Fascism

  • First established in Italy (Mussolini)

  • State above the individual

  • Allows for private ownership

  • Militaristic

  • Nazi Germany under Hitler