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fandomhigh2017-09-08 07:27 am
imafuturist) wrote in fandomhigh2017-09-08 07:27 am
Entry tags:
Civics, Friday, September 8, 2017
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.
"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.
Re: Discuss
You've hit one of maybe three actually earnest moments in Paris' life, Peridot.
Re: Discuss
"I guess I do," she hedged, squirming a bit. "But I'm here now, and I can't go back, so... it's okay."
So long as she didn't get kicked out!
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That one got a curious look from Peridot, yes.
"Is leaving the state unusual, here? It occurs to me now that I have yet to really look into local migration patterns..."
At least she hadn't said 'human' migration patterns.
But she meant it.
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"And eighteen," Peridot ventured, not letting Paris' snickering rattle her, "is the age when humans reach... maturity?"
She'd also learned to stop calling childhood 'the human larval stage.' PROGRESS.
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...you keep thinking that, Paris.
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Hey, a little delusion was good for the soul. Or something.
"Are there any benefits to being mature beyond simply being free of another person's rule?"
Parents were dictators now, apparently.
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Peridot raised an eyebrow, and then settled in to start ticking things off on her fingers.
"Stability, respect, power, opportunity..."
She was going for things she'd observed since coming to Earth, mostly. Or things that the Diamonds seemed to have that she figured she never would.