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Student Vote Resource |
Lesson 1: Government
and Democracy
OBJECTIVE
Students will learn about the concept of government and
the different types of government around the world.
KEY WORDS
government, autocracy, oligarchy, democracy,
representative democracy
QUESTIONS TO BE EXPLORED DURING THIS LESSON
• What are different ways a decision can be made?
• What is the role of government?
• What types of government exist around the world?
• How do other forms of government compare to
democracy?
• Why is democracy important?
PREPARATION
Write out and describe on cue cards the three
decision-making models used in the Hook activity
(one per card).
• Make copies of Worksheet 1.1: Types of Government.
•
TEACHING STRATEGIES
Hook: 15 min
1. Split the class into three groups and have them sit
together. Explain that each group needs to determine
the choice of pizza toppings for an upcoming class
party. Ask each group to brainstorm ideas for a few
minutes. Provide enough time to allow all students to
share their opinion.
2. Provide one person in each group with a cue card
with a description of one of the following decisionmaking models and ask them to direct a final decision
based on the rules given. These decision-making
models are based on real types of governments found
throughout the world.
Group A -- Only one person (i.e., the first person on the
class list) will choose the pizza toppings (autocratic).
Group B -- Only a select few (i.e., only boys or only
girls) will be involved in choosing the pizza toppings
(oligarchic).
Group C -- All group members will have a say in
choosing the pizza toppings (democratic universal).
3. While groups are making their choice for the pizza
toppings, observe how each group is functioning and
make notes (e.g., level of engagement among those
with power versus those without, interactions among
members, length of time to make the decision).
Teacher Note: Group A may become unruly as most
members of the group will lack a voice – but this will
make for a productive discussion afterwards.
4. Bring the class back to the big group and discuss
each group’s experience. Ask the following discussion
questions to each group.
• How quickly was a decision made?
• Did everyone agree with the decision?
• How happy were you with the decision made?
Why?
• What kind of feeling developed within the group?
Explain.
• How involved or interested were all members in
the activity? Explain.
Discussion: 10 min
How are decisions made at home? Who decides what
happens in the classroom?
What types of decisions need to be made for people
living in a country, province or territory (e.g., education/
schools, transportation/roads, heath care/hospitals)?
Who makes these decisions? What would happen if
there was no government responsible for creating laws
and providing support to citizens? Imagine what your
classroom would be like if your teacher had no rules
regarding behaviour, habits or homework.
Instruction: 10-15 min
1. Different types of government exist in the world and
they make decisions for their people in different
ways. Governments can be compared by looking
at how power is shared and the type of rights and
freedoms provided to its citizens.
2. Autocracy is a type of government where one
person has full control without the participation or
permission of the people. Citizens have few rights
or freedoms. There is usually a high level of security,
with military all around and limited media. Examples
include Syria, Kazakhstan, and North Korea.
3. Oligarchy is a form of government system in which
power rests with a small number of people, generally
the people who are more rich and powerful (due to
family lines or wealth). People living under oligarchic
rule have some rights and freedoms. Examples
include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, many African nations.
4. Democracy is a type of government where power
is shared by all the people. Citizens have access to
power and they also have rights and freedoms. These
countries have freedom of speech, and free and
fair elections. Examples include Canada, the United
States, Japan, and England. Since it is not realistic
to have every citizen contribute to every decision
that needs to be made, representatives are usually
selected by the people to make decisions on their
| Lesson 1: Government and Democracy
behalf. This is called a representative democracy. In
Canada, we elect Members of Parliament (MPs) to
represent us in the Canadian government.
Activity: 10-15 min
As a class, create a list of benefits (pros) and challenges
(cons) for a) no government, b) autocratic government,
c) oligarchic government and d) democratic government.
Relate it back to the group experiences in the Hook
activity. Students can take notes using Worksheet 1.1:
Types of Government.
Debrief: 10 min
Have a brief closing discussion about government
and democracy. Alternatively, ask students to write a
reflection in their election scrapbook or learning log (see
Assessment Opportunities).
• Write about a time you were involved in a
democratically made decision. Write about a time you
were involved in an autocratic decision. How did you
feel during each decision-making process?
• Would you prefer to live in an autocracy or a
democracy? Why?
• What does democracy mean to you?
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
A. To further explore the benefits and challenges
of decision-making models in various scenarios,
assign students Worksheet 1.2: Who Should Decide?
Alternatively, students could form groups and act out one
of the scenarios (unknown to the rest of the students).
Have a follow up discussion about which type of decisionmaking model makes the most sense and why.
B. Use media and news stories to discuss global fights for
democracy (e.g., the Arab Spring across the Middle East).
Do you think democracy is worth fighting for? Why or
why not?
C. In groups, students will explore the need for
leadership, organization and rules within a community
through the following scenario or another of your
choosing.
Your class is going on an end-of-year trip across the
ocean. Your flight encounters a bad storm, and you
become stranded together on a remote island. The
teacher and other adults have decided to venture off and
find help. It will be several weeks until you are rescued
and the class must figure out how everyone will try to live
together and survive.
Distribute copies of Worksheet 1.3: Survivor Island.
HOME CONNECTIONS
For homework, have students ask their family and friends
what democracy means to them. Provide each student
with a cue card or blank sheet of paper to write down the
answers or key words they associate with democracy. The
next day create a wordle or display of the responses.
You can also encourage students to share any stories
from family and friends who may have lived in countries
under autocratic rule. Comparisons can be made with life
in Canada.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS
What is government?
The people and institutions put in place to run or govern
a country, state, province or community. The purpose
of government is to serve and protect the people.
Government is responsible for providing services and
making laws (rules) for the good of all the people.
Without government, there would be confusion and
conflict, and little would be accomplished.
How are governments distinguished?
There are different government systems around the
world. They are distinguished by how they are formed,
the allocation of power, and the types of rights and
freedoms afforded to citizens.
Autocracy: Rule by one. A system of government run by
a ruler with total power and authority over all aspects
of life. This ruler is called a dictator and often has the
support of the military. People living under autocratic
rule do not have individual rights and freedoms.
Oligarchy: Rule by a few or the privileged. A form of
government system in which power rests with a small
number of people, generally the people who are rich
and more powerful than the others (due to bloodlines
or wealth). People living under oligarchic rule have some
rights and freedoms.
Democracy: Rule by many. A system of government
in which power is retained by all the people. Citizens
have access to power and they also have guaranteed
rights and freedoms. Since it is not practical to have
every citizen contribute to every decision that needs to
be made, representatives are usually selected by the
people to make decisions on their behalf. This is called a
representative democracy.
What type of government do we have in Canada?
Canada is a parliamentary democracy, which is a type
of representative democracy. It is also a constitutional
monarchy; the Queen, our head of state, holds symbolic
power. A constitutional monarchy can be either a
democracy or autocracy.
RESOURCES
• PowerPoint 1: Government and Democracy
• Worksheet 1.1: Types of Government
• Worksheet 1.2: Who Should Decide?
• Worksheet 1.3: Survivor Island
• Government Type, CIA World Factbook – www.cia.gov
• Arab Spring Timeline: Mideast in Motion, Wall Street
Journal (July 3, 2013) – www.online.wsj.com
• Arab uprising: Country by country, BBC News (August
31, 2012) – www.bbc.co.uk
• The World is Watching Syria, Teaching Kids News
(September 3, 2013) – www.teachingkidsnews.com
• How the Arab Spring began, BBC News (December 16,
2011) – www.bbc.co.uk (video)