Activity (Week 1 & 2) – Handouts 1 & 2 for Students - The ACTiZENS' Club Programme by Desh Apnayen

Handout 1 – Information Sheet

Video link: POLITICAL SYSTEMS 101: Basic Forms of Government Explained

The above-mentioned video was already played in class. In case you could not watch it live in class, you can watch it separately.

Introduction to Political Systems

Political participation is one of the best ways for citizens to make a substantial positive change to their society and country. If people are engaged with the politics of their country, they will better understand the functioning of the government. Once they understand the political system, they will be better equipped to engage with the government to solve civic issues.

Therefore, an increase in political participation should result in a vibrant democracy with an active citizenry. This is the foundation of Democracy 2.0 which we envision at Desh Apnayen and would like all our ACTIZENS to understand. When we say that in the present scenario, it is important to act as global citizens, it is also important to learn about global political systems. Not only to better understand but also to actively participate in the political system of one’s own country.

Handout 1 - Features of Different Political Systems

The following information will help you further understand the different types of prominent political systems present across the world.

Dictatorship

Examples: Hitler from Germany and Mussolini from Italy, during World War II.

Present day North Korea.

Even if constitution is present, only one person who is the dictator, controls everything in the government.

One person has absolute power.
Generally, power is taken by this person – he or she is not elected to power.
This person dictates their will over everyone else.
No laws or constitution to restrict their power.
Often uses the military to enforce their will on the citizens.
Controls all aspects of citizens’ lives (totalitarianism).

Monarchy  

Examples: Saudi Arabia, Britain, Japan

There are benevolent and titular monarchs such as present-day Queen of Britain or King of Japan. Research a bit about them online. These countries have constitutional monarchy, which means governance is done by elected representatives in the name of the King/Queen.

Power is inherited and held for life.
Power is passed down through the family. 
Absolute monarchy – the monarchy has total power without any laws or constitution – Saudi Arabia.
Constitutional monarchy – a monarch’s power is written into laws and a constitution – Britain and Japan.

Communism

Examples: China, Cuba, Vietnam

Strong decisions, such as ban on EdTech companies from making profits from tutoring, are taken by party and party leaders. Decisions are strongly ideology driven.

Power is generally gained by the workers during the overthrow of an oppressive government.
The government plans and controls the laws and economy with no input from the people.
No private property is allowed.
All wealth and goods are shared by the government equally amongst the people.

Democracy

Examples: America, India

Democracy means people take decisions on their own or through their elected representatives.

People choose their government through free and fair elections.
All people participate in decision-making directly or by choosing someone to represent them in the Parliament.
The law applies equally to all citizens, including the government.

Handout 1 - Video Bank

Students can watch these videos for a better understanding of the political systems.

Please note that students are advised to watch these videos at a slower speed (0.75) if they are not able to comprehend the language.

What is democracy? [2 minutes video]
What is communism? [3 minutes video]
What is dictatorship? [3 minutes video]
Dictatorship versus Monarchy [4 minutes video]

Handout 2 – Presentation and Role Play Guidelines

Instructions for Presentation to all Groups -

Research on the following parameters as per the political system assigned to you:

Names of 2 countries where this political system is present
Head of the State
Main features of the political system
The process to pass any law/act in the political system
Pros and cons of the assigned political system
Is this political system best to implement rules? Yes/No and why?

Instructions for Role Play

The below scripts are only to give directions to students. Please do not limit your creativity while choosing your script. Students can also make it a fun-based activity and enjoy the role-play session. You can also select costumes as per your roles, if possible, to make them more appealing to the audience.

Draft Script for the Dictatorship Type of Political System:

Select one person from your group as a Dictator and give him/her a name.
The dictator will make his/her own rules and implement them on other group members during the role play.
The dictator will select 3 students as part of his/her army who will monitor the rules implemented by citizens and report to him/her.
The dictator will order the other students that from today onwards, they will follow the below online class rules:  
1. Do not switch off the camera during class.
2. Do not take leave without application/prior information given to the class teacher.
3. Submit all assignments within 1 hour after the class.
4. No questions allowed in class.
The dictator orders in class: At the start of each class, you will recite the following ode to me. .............. (Dictator’s name) is the best leader of the school, and we need him/her as the President of the school every year.
All students need to obey the dictator's rules.  If you do not obey the rules, there will be punishment.
Students who don’t obey the dictator’s rules will be suspended from the class for the next 7 days.

Instructions for the Communist Type of Political System:

Select any 3 or 4 students and congratulate them on helping to overthrow the dictator who was making the students of the class work hard for his/her own benefit. Make your own party.
A few students from your group can form a Communist Party with one leader. It is up to this party to make the rules for the benefit of all the students. Other group members will act as students in the class and party members will tell them all online class rules during the role play.
Decisions are taken by the party without consent of other group members but are for the good of all.
Make a list of new rules and ask for support from all the students.

Instructions for the Monarchy Type of Political System:

One person from your group is to be nominated as Queen/King. Other students can act as the members of Queen’s/King’s court.
Introduce the Monarch of the class – Queen/King ………….. (Any name) who has been the Principal from the last 10 years since her/his father passed away. Prince …………. (Any other student’s name) will rule after her/him.  
The Queen/King also decides who will rule after her/him (hereditary succession).
The Queen/King do consult other members from the group but take decisions on her/his own.
Consult other members about the rules in the Queen’s/King’s court and suggest class rules for now.  
The Queen/King will listen to the suggestions and choose which rules she/he wants to implement.  
The Queen/King will now announce the final rules -
1. Do not switch off the camera during class.
2. Do not take leave without application/prior information given to the class teacher.
3. Submit all assignments on time.
4. Ask questions after the session only.
5. Wait for your turn to ask any questions.

Instructions for the Democracy Type of Political System:

Select some representatives from the class. Assume they are elected representatives and form the ruling party.
Other students will act as the opposition party and take part in the parliamentary process during the role play.
In a Mock Parliament session, the ruling party will present the rules in the Assembly and both parties will debate before taking decisions.
All students can conduct voting while taking decisions and pass the rules as per majority votes.
If rules can’t get passed by the majority, change the rules, and again do the voting.

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