POWER PLAY
A Look at Limited and Unlimited
Governments
Agree or Disagree?
• The president of the United States has
complete control of the U.S. government.
• The governor of Texas must drive the speed
limit when driving in Texas.
• President Obama does not have the to follow
the same laws as you and me.
• In a dictatorship, the leader does not have to
follow the same laws as its citizens.
• The United States has a limited government.
Lesson Objective
• Today you will learn about two types of
governments; limited and unlimited
Draw a T-Chart
Limited
Unlimited
Limited Government
A type of government where the leaders have
limited power and must follow the same laws
all citizens follow .
Unlimited Government
• A type of government where the leaders have
no limits to their power.
Characteristics of Limited Government
• Power of government has a constitution or other written
law - LIMITED power
• Leader follows same laws as all citizens.
• Courts treat everyone as equal
• Peaceful change of leaders
• Free and open media
• Regular elections and majority rules
• Individuals have basic rights such as freedom of speech,
press, assembly, and religion.
• Usually a well educated population
Characteristics of Unlimited
Government
• Control is completely with the ruler(s). They have
UNLIMITED powers
• Government leaders do not have to follow the same rules
as regular citizens
• Courts do not treat everyone as equal
• People who disagree with the government are arrested
• Military is very powerful
• Poor education for some or most of the population
• Citizens do not have basic political rights, such as freedom
of religion, or freedom to travel
Card Sort Answers
Limited Governments
• Citizens or their elected
representatives can remove elected
officials from office.
• The media, newspaper, magazines
and television can freely report
news from around the world.
• A national constitution limits the
power of government.
• Individuals have basic rights such as
freedom of speech, press, assembly,
and religion.
• Democratic-republic government
• Cab be Well-educated population
Unlimited Governments
• People who disagree with the
government are arrested.
• The military shuts down
newspapers and decides who can
run in an election.
• Totalitarian government
• Can be have Low literacy rate
• Citizens must have permission
from the government to leave
the country
• Citizens have few individual rights
Critical Thinking Questions
• What are reasons citizens would want to limit
the power of their government?
• If you were a citizen of an unlimited
government, describe your freedoms?
• If you were a citizen of a limited government,
describe your freedoms?
Agree or Disagree?
• The president of the United States has complete
control of the U.S. government.
• The governor of Texas must drive the speed limit
when driving in Texas.
• President Obama does not have the to follow the
same laws as you and me.
• In a dictatorship, the leader does not have to follow
the same laws as its citizens.
• The United States has a limited government.
Role Play - Assessment
• In groups of 3-5, create a role play of a limited
or unlimited government.
• Have your classmates determine which type of
government your perform?