TYPES OF GOVERNMENT
Government
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An organization, institution, group or people, or individual who provide a system for creating order and leadership for its
people or citizens.
A citizen is a person who is loyal to his/her government and who is entitled to be protected by their government.
A constitution is the written plan or laws for that government.
DICTATORSHIP
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The government is ruled by one person
Generally harsh punishments towards those who don’t follow the laws
Lack of voice/opinions by citizens
Violence towards those who oppose the leader of the government
No course of action if things are going wrong because of the single person rule
HISTORICAL EXAMPLES: Adolf Hitler (Nazi Germany), Kim Jon Il (North Korea)
MONARCHY
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Rule by a King or a Queen
King or Queens are born into power
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They have complete control over the government
King or Queens are often not held accountable for laws
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Often throughout history, King or Queens believe their rule is a “divine right” (given by god)
HISTORICAL EXAMPLE: English kingdoms during the middle ages
CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY
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The king or queen serve as a ceremonial role and do not have direct input into government decision making.
(The United Kingdom)
THEOCRACY
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A form of government where the state is governed by the immediate divine guidance.
The country or state is ruled by a clergy (a religious group)
Subjects are ruled by religious authority
Individual in rule serves as both religious leader and king/queen
HISTORICAL EXAMPLE: Modern day Vatican City
OLIGARCHY
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A government ruled by the “few”
The few is often the extremely wealthy
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These few individuals often work well together
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In theory they are society’s most educated
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Often decisions that are made are of a narrow point of view and don’t meet the needs of the common people
REPUBLIC (Representative Democracy)
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Citizens or people vote for their elected officials
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These elected people will represent the people and make decisions
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The United States is a Republic (Representative Democracy)
DEMOCRACY (Direct Democracy)
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All voters in a community meet in one place to make laws and decide actions that need to take place.
Every citizen has equal power within the government
Often only works well with a small number of people
Decisions can be time consuming, often involving debate and multiple points of view
ANARCHY
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The absence of government
Civil unrest