autocracy
representative
democracy
oligarchy
theocracy
Leaders gain and
keep power
through force
Leaders gain and
keep power
through fair and
free elections
Leaders usually
gain and keep
power by force
Leaders gain and
keep power by
being religious
experts
Absolute monarchy
dictatorship
Republic or
constitutional
monarchy
Junta or rule by
one group
Can be found with
other governments
Few limits to
leader’s power
Leaders’ power is
limited by
constitution
Small group has all
the power
Leaders’ powers
based on religion
Citizens have few
rights
Citizens have many
rights protected by
constitution
Most people have
few rights
Citizens have only
rights given by
religion
EX: North Korea,
Cuba
EX: USA, United
Kingdom
EX: China
EX: Saudi Arabia
autocracy
representative
democracy
Decisions can be
made and carried
out
quickly
Decisions can be
difficult to make and
take a long time
Power is easily
abused
Leader may not
be very qualified
to rule
Violence used to
maintain order
Difficult for leaders to
abuse power
oligarchy
theocracy
Decisions can
usually be made Decisions carried
and carried out
out easily
quickly
Power can be
abused but there Religious leaders
are some controls have great power
by other leaders
Quality of leaders can Leaders might not Most people have
vary
be qualified
same beliefs
Change in power is
peaceful
Citizens have little
Citizens have much
freedom and little
freedom and ability to
ability to be
be creative
creative
Violence used to
maintain order
religious beliefs
strictly enforced
Most people have
little freedom and
Usually no
ability to be
religious freedom
creative