North South University

Undergraduate Programme
POL 101: Introduction to Political Science
Summer 2020

Course Teacher

Saifuddin Ahmed (SuA2)

Associate Professor & Chairman

Department of Peace and Conflict Studies

Dhaka University

E-mail:saifuddin.ahmed@northsouth.edu

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How many STATEs’ name you can mention?
Are all the States same?

What are the differences of these States?

Is there any differences in terms of Power

and Quality of Services?

Why is such differences?

Socialist State

Democratic State

Autocratic State

People’s Republic State

Welfare State

Powerful State

Less Powerful State

Predatory State

Failed State

So many other identities of STATEs

The differences of states or classification of states is
made on the basis of the

GOVERNMENT

and

The Governmental Organizations

Government: Definition and Concept
 The society organized politically is called STATE.

 The rules which determine social conduct are the

LAWs of the State.

 The individuals who enforce the Laws and see that

they are equally observed by all; constitute
GOVERNMENT.
equally observed by all:

“To do unto others as you have others do unto you”

I should provide for others the same conditions of life as

I wish for myself
A government is a body that has the authority to make
rules/ laws and power to enforce that rules/ laws within
civil, corporate religious, academic and/or other
organizations and groups
Forms/Classification of Government
The Traditional Classification (Aristotle):

The principles of classification:

 The number of persons who exercise supreme power -

who posses the sovereignty to exercise power

 The ends the seek to serve

 Who posses
Normal Form Perverted Form
sovereignty

RULE BY ONE MONARCHY TYRANY

The rule of one virtuous ruler
The king or queen would be
exceptionally talented at ruling
Keep the best interests of all citizens
in mind.
RULE BY FEW ARISTOCRACY
The virtuous rule of the few best
citizens.
To be morally and intellectually
Superior, and govern in the interest of
the entire population.
RULE BY MANY POLITY
Polity is Constitutional Government
The virtuous rule by the entire
populace
The masses are granted citizenship
and govern with everyone's interest in
mind.
The corrupt form of a Monarchy
 It is ruled by a self-interested ruler
 Complete disregard of everyone else
OLIGARCHY
The corrupt form of an Aristocracy.
 It is ruled by a few wealthy self-
interested individuals
 Disregard the less fortunate
DEMOCRACY (Demagoguery)
The corrupt form of a Constitutional
Government.
Everyone's voice is equal
The voice of the majority is above the law
If a charismatic leader were to take
control of the populace, the leader would
become a tyrant.
 

Modern Classification of Government

 The Modern Governments

Despotic Democratic
(Who rules unfairly) (Rule of the People)

Limited Monarchy Republic

Unitary Unitary
Federal Federal

Parliamentary Parliamentary
Unitary Non-Parliamentary Non-Parliamentary Unitary
Federal (Presidential) (Presidential) Federal

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Modern Classification of Government

1.Despotic
2.Democratic
3. Limited Monarchy
4.Republic
5.Unitary
6.Federal
7.Parliamentary
8.Presidential
 Despotic
(Who rules unfairly)

Despotism is a form of government in which a single entity rules with absolute power. ...
Colloquially, the word despot applies pejoratively to those who use their power and
authority to oppress their populace, subjects, or subordinates.

Despotism is defined as a situation in which a ruler has absolute power. A monarchy

where a king has absolute power is an example of despotism.

The despot has complete control of the state, like a dictator or tyrant. In history, the

pharaohs of Egypt were despots. The word despot is thought to come from the Ancient
Greek word despotes, which means "the master".

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 Democratic
(Rule of the People)

Government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested
in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free
electoral system.

Therefore, a Democracy is a system of government in which the citizens exercise power

directly or elect representatives from among themselves to form a governing body, such
as a parliament. Democracy is sometimes referred to as "rule of the majority".

For example, three countries which use representative democracy are the United States

of America (a representative democracy), the United Kingdom (a constitutional
monarchy) and Poland (a republic).

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 Limited Monarchy

A government in which a monarch agrees to share power with a parliament and abide by

a constitution; also known as a constitutional monarchy.

A monarchy in which the ruler is limited by the constitution or law. Divine right. a belief
that a monarch rule comes directly form god, not form the consent of people. English Bill
of Rights.

An example of this is in the United Kingdom. While Queen Elizabeth is considered the
queen, she has no authority in lawmaking and does not deal with the parliament.

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 Republic

Republic, form of government in which a state is ruled by representatives of the citizen body.
A state in which the head of government is not a monarch or other hereditary head of state.
Modern republics are founded on the idea that sovereignty rests with the people, though
who is included and excluded from the category of the people has varied across history.

The main characteristic of a republic form of government is free and fair election of the

people who represent the voters.
Republic: "A state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected
representatives." Democracy: "A system of government by the whole population or all the
eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives."

The United States of America is an example of a federal republic.

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 Unitary and Federal Government

In Unitary government; the central government possess much authority and decision-making
power. Local governing bodies simply serves as administrative arms of central government.

Great Britain, Bangladesh are the example of Unitary form of Government

In Federal Government power is split between central government authority and its
constituent assembly. The constitution usually defines how power is shared between central,
federal and local government.

The United States of America and India are very good examples of Federal Government.

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 Parliamentary form of Government

Parliamentary form of government represent a democratic system of governance of a country, wherein

the executive branch is derived from the legislative body, i.e. from Parliament.

The executive is divided into two parts – Head of government and head of state. The President is as
head of state while the Prime Minister is the head of government.

In Parliamentary System of government; the political party getting maximum number of seats during
federal elections, in the parliament, form government. And the leader of the chosen by the majority
members of parliament becomes Prime Minister as well as chief executive/ head of government.

In Parliamentary System of government; the Cabinet is accountable to the Parliament/ Parliament

Members

Example: Great Britain, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh.

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 Presidential form of Government

In Presidential form of government one person is both Head of State and Head of Government

The adult franchise directly elect President

The President elects the Ministers (Cabinet) and Secretaries who assist in governing country

Neither the President nor the Cabinet Members are accountable to the Parliament

Example: The United States of America, Russia, Srilanka

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Thank You