FORMS OF GOVERNMENT The Variety of Ways Nations of the World Are Governed.

FORMS OF GOVERNMENT

The Variety of Ways Nations of the World Are

Governed

AUTOCRACY

Government ruled by an individual with absolute

power; no checks

Also called despotism; ruler called a despot.

An Absolute Monarchy is a more modern term• Saudi Arabia and Malaysia are absolute monarchies

CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY

King and/or Queen rules but shares power with

another body.

Rules and laws are described under a constitution.• England• Canada• Belgium• Jordan• Kuwait• And many more…….

THEOCRACY

Nation ruled by religious leader(s)

Term means “rule of god” in Greek

Laws derived from religious doctrine, e.g. the

Bible, the Koran • Iran

OLIGARCHY

Power of government lies with a few prominent

citizens, typically families who pass that power down

to ancestors.• No real modern examples

CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY

Rules and laws determined by a constitution and

people have some degree of power

United States can be classified as this but is more

accurately defined a constitutional republic• A democracy is direct rule by the people• In a republic, people choose representatives to rule