Types of Government
Dec 30, 2015
Types of Government
Authoritarian Governments
Definition: A gov’t ruled by one or few people.
Characteristics of Authoritarian
Elections do not offer choice Citizens rights are NOT guaranteed Force is used to keep the peace Unlimited government, do whatever they
want
Types of Authoritarian Government
1. Autocracy: Rule by one
a. Absolute Monarchy- King and Queen has total control over the country
b. Dictatorship (Totalitarian)- Has total control, usually takes power and uses force to keep it
2. Oligarchy: Rule by few
Democracy
Definition: Rule by the people, citizens rights are protected
Characteristics of Democracy
Rule of law: everyone must follow the law
Federalism: power is divided into different levels
Popular sovereignty: power comes from people through voting
Equality of all persons under the lawMajority rule with minority rights
protected Individual rights and freedomsLimited government
Direct vs. Representative DemocracyDirect: Presidential Gov’t: (U.S.A)
A gov’t where all citizens meet
and vote on laws for the nation
Parliamentary Gov’t: (England)
Representative:
People elect representatives to Constitutional Monarchy
Conduct gov’t (make laws) for
a nation
Types of Representative Democracies
Presidential:3 BranchesVoters elect law making (legislative)
branch – CongressVoters elect President (executive branch) Judicial branch – Court system, seen in
the U.S.
Types of Representative Democracies
Parliament: 3 Branches Voters elect PART of law making (legislative)
branch then voters choose its executive leader (Prime Minister) from among its own members
Therefore, the people do not choose their executive (unlike Presidential system)
Judicial branch – court system seen in Great Britain
Presidential vs Parliament Review
Category: Authoritarian Democracy
Executive
Legislative
Judicial
Where it is seen:
Authoritarian vs Democracy Review
Category: Authoritarian Democracy
Rights
Rule of Law
Amount of power
How leaders are chosen
Examples of types:
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