Who Rules: Dictatorship

Who Rules: Dictatorship

Dictators Take Power

In a dictatorship a ruler or small group holds absolute power, often through force, over the entire country and its people.

A dictator has unlimited power. That means that the government has authority and that citizens have very little freedom. Usually citizens basic freedoms and rights are very limited.

In a Dictatorship...

• A dictator often takes control by force

• A dictator has unlimited power

• Citizens do not get a voice in their government

• Citizens Rights are not protected

Signs of a Dictatorship

• Usually the dictator will control all media (TV, Internet, and Newspapers)

• Usually the dictator is worried about their own well being and not the citizens well being

• Usually many of the people are poor

Multiple Choice

Within a dictatorship citizens can...

• Elect officials that believe in the same policies as the citizens.

• Can work with the dictator when there is a policy they disagree with.

• They have no power over government polices.

• The citizens have power to help build government polices.

Multiple Choice

In a dictatorship the leader usually gains power through...

• An election process

• They will inherit their power from a family member

• They will gain power through force or military action

• It is voted on by religious leaders

Multiple Choice

In a dictatorship the dictator's power is....

• limited

• unlimited

Multiple Choice

Which description explains the relationship between those governing and those being governed in a dictatorship.

• The dictator has unlimited power and control over citizens.

• Citizens have many rights and responsibilities in a dictatorship

• Citizens and dictators have balanced power in a dictatorship

Multiple Choice

Which description matches the relationship between those in power and individual citizens in a dictatorship?

• Rulers retain authority over the people through a ruling family.

• Rulers have limited power given to them by the people, the people retain the supreme power.

• Rulers retain authority over the people through religious beliefs and religious leaders rule.

• Rulers retain authority over the people through fear and/or force