Types of Governments
Democracy
• Rule by the people
• Citizens elect those who represent them in the government
• Citizens have many rights
• Parliamentary Democracy: Prime Minister elected by the legislature
• Presidential Democracy: President elected by the citizens
Monarchy
• King, queen, or emperor rules
• Position is usually inherited
• Citizens have few or no rights except in a constitutional monarchy
Dictatorship
• One person rules usually with the backing of an army
• The ruler controls everything
• Citizens have few or no rights
Oligarchy
• A group of a few people rule
• Ruling group is usually rich and has the backing of the military
• Citizens have few or no rights
• Theocracy: ruled by religious leaders
• Single Party State: ruled by one political party
Communism
• Command economy
• Government controlled by the Communist Party
• Citizens have few or no rights
• Single Party State
• Limited government: does not have complete control of
citizens
• Citizens do have individual rights and
responsibilities
• Unlimited government: does have complete control of
citizens