SOUTH AMERICA
GOVERNMENT
INFO
EXAMPLES OF GOVERNMENT
Limited Governments:
Constitutions are new.
Voting is MANDATORY
Constitutions, statements of rights, or other laws
define the limits of those in power.
EXAMPLES OF GOVERNMENT
Unlimited Governments:
Control placed solely with the ruler.
No limits imposed on the rulers authority.
History Examples:
Dirty War
Brazil’s Military Dictatorship
Peru’s Auto-coup
Argentina’s Dirty War (1976-1983):
Opponents of the government as well as innocent
people, "disappeared" in the middle of the night.
They were taken to secret government detention centers
where they were tortured and eventually killed.
It ended in December 1983 when a civilian government
took over the military dictatorship.
Brazil’s Military Dictatorship (1964-1985):
1964 - the army took power and implemented an
institutional act to punish anybody who posed a potential
threat to the regime.
After 21 years of military dictatorship, the military
peacefully handed over power to civilian president
Tancredo Neves, elected by the National Congress.
Peru’s Auto-coup (1990-2000):
Credited with uprooting terrorism
Formed stability, though his methods have drawn charges
of authoritarianism
Authoritarianism is a form of government opposed to individualism and democracy.
Charged with violating human rights and found guilty.
Fujimori
Governments with Rule by
One, Few, or Many
• Rule by one – Monarchy or Dictatorship
Single ruler controls government and claims the responsibilities.
People do not decide who will rule
Unlimited Government
South America’s Past
• Rule by few – Oligarchy
Ruled by a small number of people
This occurs when a group seizes power after an overthrow.
New rulers constitute a junta
Committee of Military leaders who run the government.
Usually Unlimited Government
• Rule by many – Republic or Democracy
Limited Government
South America today (Examples: Brazil, Argentina, Peru)
Reasons For Limiting the
Power of Government
Eliminate torture.
Argentina’s Dirty War
Eliminate dictatorships
Secure Human Rights
Human Rights Abuses by
Government
Human Rights – inherit to all
human beings, without
distinction as to race, color,
gender, language, religion,
political, or other opinions,
property, or birth.
Human Rights Abuses by
Government
Governments abuse human
rights when they directly
engage or turn a deaf ear to
violators within their borders.
Torture or disappearance
Censorship of the press