Civics, Friday, September 8, 2017

[imafuturist]

There was a lack of glitter in the classroom this week, so hopefully no one was crushed by this. They could make up for it with supplied coffee at least?

"Welcome back," Tony said to their tiny class. "Today we'll be discussing the types of government out there and which is the current governing system in the United States. Again, the one we are currently in."

The one that was dabbling in a variety of populism with a heavy emphasis on racism and nativism!

Plus bonus sexism!

"There are a variety of options out there," Steve said. "For a good portion of history, a monarchy--government by a sole king or queen, someone not chosen by the people--was very popular. Those that are left over have become, for the most part, constitutional monarchies where the ruling family is largely ceremonial and someone else--normally a parliament--does the heavy lifting of governing."

"Not to say there aren't still governments where one person or a very small group of people hold immense power over the rest of the population," Tony added. "There are dictatorships where someone controls all aspects of the state and maintains that with force or the threat of it. There are theocracies where religion and religious leaders are the controlling force in the government."

"And there are swaths where someone says they're in charge but the reality is laughably--or tragically--otherwise," Steve said. "But today we're going to mostly focus on the various kinds of democracies--representative and direct--and republics--parliamentary, federal, or single party."

"For democracies, direct democracy is... well, what it sounds like," Tony said. "You vote directly for things and a majority vote gets it approved. This... is not very common to see as it's very difficult with large populations. Representative is what you may be familiar with as that is what we see in the US. We vote to elect someone who is supposed to vote or work on our behalf in the government. It's a bit more hands off for the general population."

"The US is also a federal republic," Steve said, "which means power is broken up into several sections--the national government, and then the 50 states. Below the states are local government as well, all the way down to school boards."

"Which is why we fear the school board visits." Tony, no.

"Plus from what I've read, they're kind of insane," Steve added. "Today we're going to talk about the different kinds of government, how they work, and when they don't. Dictatorships, for instance, are extremely streamlined because there's no pesky 'asking other people for their opinions' part."

They really were, Steve.

"Pick a type of government and tell us what you think are the biggest flaws in them and what, if any, ways they could be fixed," Tony said.

Comments

Sign In

[imafuturist]

Ready for some governing.

Re: Sign In

[era_two_triangle]

Peridot

Re: Sign In

[somethingwithturquoise]

Summer Smith

Re: Sign In

[revengenotebook]

Paris Geller

Listen to the Lecture

[imafuturist]

Ponder if the system of leadership granted by mysterious sword giving women in lakes is the best one.

Discuss

[imafuturist]

Pick a system and point out the inherent flaws in it.

You know. Real fun stuff.

Re: Discuss

[era_two_triangle]

The only system of governing that Peridot had any familiarity with was the Great Diamond Authority back home. And she wasn't entirely certain she was ready to pick apart what had gone wrong with them, considering the whole deal with Yellow Diamond was still a bit raw.

So, while it wasn't possible for Peridot to physically get smaller, she was doing a pretty good impression of a Gem who could, kind of ducking down and hoping to not be seen.

Re: Discuss

[revengenotebook]

Paris glanced at her. "What are you doing? Hiding from a discussion never works."

Re: Discuss

[era_two_triangle]

Peridot's thoughts immediately turned to her conversation with Breq, where Breq had helpfully suggested Peridot try kicking.

Paris really made an impression.

"I think in this case, I'm willing to try."

Re: Discuss

[revengenotebook]

Paris really had that effect on people.

"Why?" Paris asked. "You think the teachers are going to narc on you to the feds?"

Re: Discuss

[era_two_triangle]

"What me to the what?"

Kicking was really a tempting option, here.

Re: Discuss

[revengenotebook]

"Tell on you to the government," Paris translated. "Which I'm pretty sure they're not allowed to do."

Re: Discuss

[era_two_triangle]

"... What if I'm an illegal alien?"

Emphasis on alien.

Re: Discuss

[revengenotebook]

"Given how they rant about the President when they think we're not paying attention?" Paris shrugged. "Pretty sure they don't care."

Re: Discuss

[era_two_triangle]

"Well, good," Peridot replied, and then leaned in to confide, "because I'm not entirely certain what that means anyway."

Talk to the Teachers

[imafuturist]

Who were very proud of themselves that they didn't mock the cheeto in chief.

Re: Talk to the Teachers

[heroic_jawline]

They had indeed Taken the High Ground. At least this particular moment.

"I think I'm going to protest about DACA this weekend," Steve said, nodding.

Re: Talk to the Teachers

[imafuturist]

"Yeah?" Tony asked, perking up a little from his coffee.

Re: Talk to the Teachers

[heroic_jawline]

"It's ridiculous, what he's doing," Steve said. "It's small-minded and racist and not based in anything like fact and it's wrong and I'm gonna say so."

Re: Talk to the Teachers

[imafuturist]

"Nothing that man does is based in facts," Tony muttered. "He's a small man who never should have gotten this far."

Re: Talk to the Teachers

[heroic_jawline]

"I've known others with that same kind of luck," Steve said. "They were all damn idiots."

Re: Talk to the Teachers

[imafuturist]

Tony sighed at that before kicking at Steve's shoe gently. "Well, I guess we still have the supplies for signs. I hope people enjoy glitter."

Re: Talk to the Teachers

[heroic_jawline]

"It's practically un-American not to, isn't it?" Steve said with a smile.

Re: Talk to the Teachers

[imafuturist]

Tony laughed, shaking his head. "You have been in Fandom far too long, buddy. It's infected you."

OOC

[imafuturist]

I have Runaway Train stuck in my head.