FORMS OF GOVERNMENT

According to Aristotle: governments can be classified into 3 types (depending on the number of people who hold power)

1) Monarchy rule by one person (king or queen) 2) Aristocracy rule by a few persons 3) Democracy ruled by the majority of the people (best form of government)

GOOD AND BAD FORMS

Monarchy may become a tyranny when the king or queen oppresses the people. Aristocracy may become an oligarchy (a group controls the government for corrupt and selfish purposes) who seek their own benefit and not the majority. Democracy can become a disorderly mobocracy (rule of the mob) when the people cannot agree or cooperated with each other.

Democracy can also become bad when the majority abuse the minority.

NOWADAYS WE HAVE MIXED FORMS OF GOVERNMENT

Ruled by a monarch but his/her powers are limited The monarch is checked by other government officials Usually it exists with a parliament The monarch is a symbolic head of state He reigns but does not rule The real ruler is the head of state which is PRIME MINISTER Ex. Britain and Malaysia

1.CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY

A person or a group has imposed their will on the people Citizens have no right to question or change their leaders If they complain or criticize, they can be imprisoned arrested Ex. Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler Soviet Union under the communist party Philippines under martial law

2.DICTATORSHIPS AUTHORITARIAN AND TOTALITARIAN

Can be either PRESIDENTIAL OR PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY is a government which is OF the people BY the people FOR the people All people are equal rich or poor entitled to protection PEOPLE are the source of power of the government PEOPLE can choose to elect THEIR OFFICIALS THRU ELECTIONS They can publicly question or debate policies Ex. US, Switzerland, Philippines

3.DEMOCRACY

PRESIDENTIAL and PARLIAM are 2 different forms of

govt.

PRESIDENTIAL based on the practice of separation between

the 3 branches of govt EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE, JUDICIARY

PARLIAM the EXECUTIVE and LEGISLATIVE ARE

MERGED and UNITED. Members of the executive (Prime Minister and Cabinet Members) are also the members of the legislative

EXECUTIVE:

PRESIDENT: NOYNOY AQUINO head of state / head of govt Also the Commander in Chief of the AFP Elected to a term of 6 years The Philippine Constitution provides the following qualifications for a person to become President: * Must be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines * A registered voter * Able to read and write * At least 40 years of age on the day of election * Resident of the Philippines for at least 10 years immediately preceding such election. VICE PRESIDENT: JEJOMAR BINAY (2nd highest official)

1st in line in case the President resigns, impeached or die in office THE QUALIFICATION OF VICE PRESIDENT IS *a registered voter *35 yrs and above *able to read & write *must be in the Philippines for 2 yrs and above

LEGISLATIVE:

Has the authority to make, alter or repeal the laws BICAMERAL SYSTEM 2 houses SENATE 24 SENATORS / 6 YEARS SENATOR A Philippine Senator must be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines and, on the day of the election, is at least thirty-five years of age, able to read and write, a registered voter, and a resident of the Philippines for not less than two years immediately preceding the day of the election.

CONGRESS 250 CONGRESSMEN / 3 YEARS CONGRESSMAN 1. a natural-born citizrn of the Philippines; 2. at least 25 years old; 3. able to read and write; 4. a registered voter, and 5. a resident of the province where he is running for at least one year immediately prior to the election.

JUDICIARY: The SUPREME COURT has the judicial power

SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE 14 Associate Justices 1. Natural-born citizen of the Philippines; 2. at least 40 years of age; 3. a judge for at least 15 years 4. a person of proven competence, integrity, 5. age of 70 years or become incapacitated to discharge the duties of their office. They can be removed only by impeachment.