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Types of Governments

Citizen ParticipationIn each country, the people have

different rights to participate in the government In some countries, any citizen can run

for office or vote in elections In other countries there are restrictions

placed on who can run for office and who can vote

There are also countries where no citizen can vote and there are no elections

Types of Government are based on one key question: Who governs and what is the citizen participation?

There are three types of governments:Autocracy, Oligarchy, and Democracy

Autocratic Governments Has a single ruler with unlimited power People have no ability to participate in the

selection of the ruler or in the creation of laws One benefit of this type of government is that

decisions for a country can be made quickly However, the needs of the people may be ignored

or unheard

The leader may make poor or selfish decisions that hurt the people

Autocracy

Generally the power to rule is inherited or by military force.

There two main types: dictatorship & absolute monarchy.

Dictatorship

The leader has not been elected and uses force to control all aspects of social and economic life.Examples: Adolf Hitler in

Germany and Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union

AbsoluteMonarchy

A monarchy has a king, queen, emperor or empress.The power is usually inherited or passed

down from family members.

The monarch has absolute power meaning they can make all decisions without consulting anyone.

Autocracies of the World

Oligarchic Governments “rule by a few” = country is ruled by a small

group of people An advantage is that decisions can be made

relatively quickly Compared to an autocratic system,

oligarchies have more heads to think through problems and should make better choices However, the people do not have a voice

Oligarchy

A government in which a few people such as a dominant clan or clique have power.The group gets their power from either military, wealth or social status.

Democratic Governments Puts the power of the government in the

citizens of the country All citizens have the opportunity to be a leader,

and all citizens have the opportunity to vote for leaders and laws

All citizens are involved in the decision-making process of the government, and all groups are represented

Can be slow to make decisions because all people must discuss & vote on the issues

This is a “This is a “Polity Data Series Map”Polity Data Series Map”It tries to measure a country’s It tries to measure a country’s truetrue democracy in government democracy in governmentIt gives scores of -10 to +10. The countries in the It gives scores of -10 to +10. The countries in the lightestlightest pink pink have the have the highesthighest democracy score, the democracy score, the darkerdarker the color, the the color, the lowerlower the democracy the democracy scorescore

In a democracy….

Individual freedom and equality is valued.

Free elections are held

Decisions are based on majority rule.

All candidates can express their views freely.

Citizens vote by secret ballot.