Types of Governments
Around the world, governments vary in how they organize and distribute their power. Most
governments allow citizens the power to elect their leaders, which limits the government’s power. Some
nations have leaders with unlimited power so that leaves the citizens with few rights. Read the following to
discover the strengths and weaknesses of each type of government.
Autocracy
Some countries are controlled and ruled by one person or a group holding the ultimate power. These
governments are examples of autocracy. Here are four types of autocracies.
King Salman of Saudi Arabia.
He has ruled since 2015 after his brother’s death.
The family has ruled Saudi Arabia since 1902.
Queen Elizabeth II has ruled
the United Kingdom, Canada,
Australia, and New Zealand since 1952.
Long ago, monarchies were the governments found almost everywhere. A monarchy is controlled by a
king or queen who rules for their lifetime (until they die). There are no elections so when the king or queen
die, their power is transferred to a family member.
There are two forms of monarchy. In an Absolute Monarchy, the king or queen have complete power
over the nation. Only seven nations still practice absolute monarchy such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar. In a
Constitutional Monarchy, the king or queen do not have the ultimate political power. They are just national
figure heads like the Queen of England or the King of Spain. The laws and decisions are derived from
members of parliament in the constitution. Parliament members are elected representatives, voted in by
the citizens.
Pope Francis is the Catholic leader
He was voted by the Cardinals in 2013
Ali Khamenei is the Grand Ayatollah, or Supreme Leader, of Iran
He was selected in 1987
Theocracy is a government connected to a religion. It is ruled by a religious leader that is believed to
be divine, chosen by God to be the leader. The laws are derived from the holy book that they follow. There
are a few nations around the world that use Theocracy such as Iran, Saudi Arabia and Vatican City. Iran’s
Supreme leader follows the Quran to run the nation. The Pope in
Vatican City follows the Bible and is the leader for all Catholics around the world.
Adolf Hitler of Germany
1933-1945
Suicide death to avoid capture
Saddam Hussein of Iraq
1979-2003
Executed by new Iraq government
Fidel Castro of Cuba
1959-2008
Retired due to poor health, brother took over
Kim Jong-un of North Korea
2011-Present
Took power after father’s death
Dictatorship is a type of government where one person controls a country through force.
A Totalitarian system is run by a one party dictatorship. The leaders are known for being tyrants
(cruel and unjust). Most of these leaders claim they are not dictators but are part of a democracy
because they were voted into office. The elections are usually rigged or only provide the citizens
with one-person ballets. Dictators hold total power and decide if an election will take place.
Countries such as Iraq and Germany had a dictator. Presently North Korea, China and Cuba have a
dictator or totalitarian system. Dictators control public and private life. The citizens do not enjoy
individual rights such as freedom of expressions (speech and press) or assembly (to gather and
protest). People are forced to do what the government tells them or their lives are in danger.
People may also be prevented from leaving the country. Censorship is forced on the citizens, such as
blocking the Internet.
On June 4, 1989, Chinese troops and security police fired on students who had gathered in
Tiananmen Square, in the center of Beijing, China. Citizens wanted more democracy. Hundreds were
killed and up to 10,000 people were arrested. North Korea’s current leader is Kim Jong-un. Human
Rights groups stated that citizens there were tortured, enslaved, and executed in public. Over 2
million people have died because their government did not distribute aid (medicine/food) properly
to the people. Adolf Hitler ruled Germany and organized the Nazi party that lead to the death of 6
million people in a few years during WWII.
General Shwe of Myanmar- 1992-2011
2016 they elected a president
Anarchy symbol
Anarchy can take place when there is no government structure at all. This can happen
after a civil war. Usually this situation does not last for a long period of time. Armies can take over
a nation by force and place a general in a leadership role. The nation of Myanmar is an example
where an army took over the government. Human Rights groups said that as many as a million
Myanmar citizens have been shipped off to jungle, or rural slave camps, and forced to do labor.
Types of Governments- vary in how they organize and distribute their power.
1.
Monarchy
a. Ruled by a ___________ or queen. They rule until they ________
b. There are ________ elections
c.
When the leader dies, a ____________ member ___________ the throne
d. Absolute Monarchy- A king or __________ have absolute power
e.
Example nation: _________________________
f.
Constitutional Monarchy - The king or queen do _______ have ultimate power; the
parliament creates the laws
g.
Example nation: _________________________
2. Theocracy
a. Rules of government are connected to a _______________
b. Religious leaders, are looked at as divine or chosen by ______
c.
Rules come from the _________ book that they follow
d. Example nations: ________________ and ____________________
3. Dictatorship
a.
One ___________ or a group controls the country using force
b. Leader is a tyrant, ___________ and _____________
c.
Most of these leaders claim they are not _____________ but are a democracy, where
they were voted into office.
d. Elections are _________.
e.
Example Present nations: _________________ and __________________
4. Anarchy
a.
______Government Structure
b. This can happen after a civil ____________
c.
This situation does ________ last for a ________ period of time