Grades:

Grade 6-8

Subjects:

Social Studies

Overview

Understanding the process of creating a government. This activity illustrates one possible method of choosing a government and encourages students not only to learn the differences between various forms of government, but also to understand how different groups of people might vary in their choices.

Suggested Time Allowance:

1 hour

Objectives:

Students will be able to:
1. Define several forms of government.
2. Point out the pros and cons of each form of government and how different groups might perceive themselves to be best served by different forms of government.
3. Illustrate a meeting called by various groups during which the options for a plan of government are discussed and voted on.

Materials:

-Student journals
-Small chits of paper
-Pens/pencils
-Chart to be put up on the wall
-Computer with internet connection  
-Poster board (two large pieces per small group)
-Markers Activities/Procedure: Various forms of governments are introduced and defined.
-Dictatorship or Absolute Monarchy
-Oligarchy
-Direct Democracy
-Representative Democracy

Students are asked to identify the form of government in their country. Do they know of any other forms of government? Point out that it is unusual to find a pure type of government in operation. Ask them to list 5 countries for each form of government in their journal. They can use the Government type resource from NationMaster. 

Students can be asked to identify the different forms of government in their school, home, church, etc. The following factors are taken into consideration to arrive at the type of governance. Are important decisions taken by common consensus? Who is 'in-charge'? How is he selected as the person 'in-charge'? Is a smooth changeover to a new leader possible? 

Now tell the students that they are all citizens of an imaginary country, X, which consists of four different areas. They are  seeking to form a new government. Give them the following details about their country (hang a pre-prepared chart on a wall with the details written clearly).

Area-1: Over half the population of the country - 800.000 in number. Most are prosperous farmers and self- sufficient, independent people who value practical education as it applies to their way of life. 

Area-2: The merchants of  Country X, 300,000 in number. Successful trading has made them rich and most are well-educated. 

Area-3: This area has around  400,000 goat and sheep herders who are shy and peaceful. They border a very warlike country and distrust most everything and everyone foreign. Not much interested in education, they are interested in unity only to get food from Area-1 and financial help from Area-2. 

Area-4: The small tribe, only 100,000, live in small bands as nomadic hunters. They are scorned by others because of their backward ways. 

Explain to students that fate has made them inhabitants of this region and each student is a delegate of one of the tribes. Each student will draw a name to see which tribe he/she belongs to. (Prepare small chits with area names written down clearly and keep it ready for this activity. One-half the class = Area-1; 1/5 = Area-2; 1/4 = Area-3; the remaining are Area-4) Their job is to meet to choose the best form of government to unite their country. 

Students read the descriptions of the four tribes, paying special attention to their tribe. Keeping in mind the facts pertaining to their tribe, they meet to answer the following questions. A secretary should keep track of each choice and the reason given for that choice. 

• Since X needs leadership to unite it, would a dictatorship, oligarchy or representative democracy be best? Why? 
•  X needs schools, hospitals and highways and money for these projects must be raised through taxes. Which form of government could most quickly pass tax laws and collect the money? Why? (Economy of countries under dictatorship & military rule)
• The people might rebel if they think the taxes are unfair. Which form of government would be most likely to pass tax laws which the people would support? Why? 
• The Areas 3 and 4 fear attack from their hostile neighbor. They want a government that could protect them on short notice. Which form of government could organize the quickest defense, yet still be accepted by these two tribes? Why? (Military strength for countries under military regimes)
•  X needs a good plan for development and modernization. The planners should be educated and experienced. With what form of government will X get the best planners? Why? 
• Which form of government can best end discrimination against the Area-4s? Why? 
• If a representative democracy is chosen, would you support equal representation from each tribe or representation based on population? Why? 

Each tribe's delegates select a representative to the "General Assembly". These representatives then meet and debate each question, remembering to concentrate on the reasons for their tribe's choices. The representatives then vote. A tally should be kept on the board. The form of government with the most votes will be adopted as X's new government. 

Dropping their tribal roles, students should objectively consider whether the form of government chosen will be supported by all of the people of country-X as well as which form they feel would be best. Why? They can also consider if it was fair to have just one representative from each tribe at the Assembly. Students should check the U. S. Constitution to see how it resolved these issues.

Assessment:

Students will be evaluated based on initial journal responses and  participation in class discussions.

Source:

NationMaster