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Government around the World

Government around the World

Guiding Questions: What is the relationship between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution? How do these Founding documents reflect common republican principles?

  • I can compare and contrast constitutional structures.
  • I can analyze how republican principles are used in other constitutional structures.

Directions: Select one country in addition to the United States for which to research the answers to the following questions using the resources that follow.

United States of America Other Country:
What form of government exists in this country?
Does the government have a written constitution?
Who wrote this constitution?
Does the constitution include a bill of rights?
Does the constitution limit the power of government?
Does the constitution protect individual rights?
Does the constitution separate the powers of government?
Does the constitution guarantee popular sovereignty?
Does the constitution describe an amendment process?
Does the constitution permit one part of government to check or balance another?
Does the constitution create a federal system?
Does the constitution create a republican government?

 

Critical Thinking Questions

  1. How does the promise of a nation’s constitution compare to its reality?
  2. Are rights always protected just because a country has a bill of rights? If not, what else is needed to protect rights?

Suggested Countries to Research

  • Africa
    • Morocco
    • South Africa
    • Sudan
    • Zimbabwe
  • Asia/Asia Minor
    • China
    • Japan
    • North Korea
    • Saudi Arabia
  • Australia
  • Europe
    • France
    • Germany
    • United Kingdom
  • North America
    • Canada
    • Cuba
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Argentina
    • Chile
    • Venezuela

Resources

International Constitutional Law – https://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/
Freedom House – http://www.freedomhouse.org/


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