Understanding Different Forms of Government | Roles, Responsibilities, and Types Explained

Government Government

Government A system, group, or individual that makes decisions for the people in a social group, state, or nation

Responsibilities Duties owed by citizens to their government to make sure it can continue its functions

Ways in which we organize governments: rule by one= autocracy rule by few = oligarchy rule by many = democracy

Limited Government Type of government where, through law, some control is placed on leadership s powers They HAVE limits on their powers everyone, including authority, must obey the law; usually citizens vote, societies have constitutions, freedom of the press/speech

Democracy Definition- A type of government when laws are made by elected leaders.. (to ELECT means to VOTE) Rule by MANY

Direct Democracy First known Democracy arose in ancient Athens in the fifth century B.C. Democracy is Greek for people-power Citizens of ancient Athens assembled to make important decisions facing their city-state. They voted on the issues directly. *Examples: Small New England Towns; Switzerland

Representative Democracy The Romans developed the first representative democracy. Different social groups elected their own representatives who met in assemblies. The nobles were represented in the Senate. The governmental power was divided between these two branch and they voted on various issues. *Examples: United States

Republic When a society overturns its monarchy it becomes a republic. It is simply a government without a king or queen. The head of the country is usually an elected president. The people in a republic choose representatives to make decisions. Example: France and the United States

Constitutional Monarchy Government in which the king or queen is the official head of state, but elected officials run the government Monarchs powers are limited by a written constitution. Council of lords can overrule the king s decision with a vote Example: Great Britain

Unlimited Government Type of government which leaders rule without any restrictions There are NO limits on their powers

Monarchy Rule by an individual who has inherited the role and expects to bequeath it to their heir The rulers often claim to hold this power by divine right or the will of God. Ordinary people have no rights or freedoms, except those that the monarch allowed. Autocracy- Rule by ONE

Dictatorship Rule by an individual who has full power over the country The leader has not been elected and may use force to keep control. In a military dictatorship, the army is in control. People are afraid to criticize or oppose the dictator. Autocracy- Rule by ONE Examples: Adolf Hitler, Germany Joseph Stalin, Soviet Union Muammar Qadhafi, Libya

Totalitarian The state regulates nearly every aspect of public and private behavior People are forced to do what the government tells them and may also be prevented from leaving the country. People who oppose the government are arrested and sent to labor camps or killed. Rule by ONE Example: Nazi Germany, Joseph Stalin, Saddam Hussein

Communist State or Single Party State Government has total control over economics and society as a whole In a communist country, the government owns property such as businesses and farms. It provides its people's healthcare, education and welfare. Example: China

Theocracy Rule by a religious elite A form of government in which a god or deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler In Ancient times the rule was usually a priest. Oligarchy- Rule by FEW Example-Iran,

Anarchy Absence, or lack of government This can happen after a civil war in a country, when a government has been destroyed and rival groups are fighting to take its place. Anarchists are people who believe that government is a bad thing in that it stops people organizing their own lives. Example-Somalia used to be