Types of Government
FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIAL STUDIES
Government
The system of rules over a country’s citizens
Necessary to have a structured and civilized society
Anarchy-no government at all-not a type of
government
◦Leads to someone taking power and forming
government
Most governments are a combination of two or
more types
Authoritarian
Imposes authority on people
Little freedom or rights
Strong leader using force or intimidation to maintain
control
No government claims authoritarian-however
◦Kazakhstan, Syria, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan are
authoritarian
Communist
Government controls and manages the economy
Single authoritarian political party holds power
Controls property distribution of goods and services
to give all an equal share
In practice inequality occurs and citizens are
powerless to improve the situation
◦China, N. Korea, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos
Constitutional
Governments power is described by a document
Limits government power, gives rights to people,
explains fundamental laws to be followed
Most constitutional countries are also categorized by
another government type too
◦United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland, United States
Democracy
People have ultimate power exercised through voting
Pure democracy=people vote on EVERYTHING i.e.
religion, government, economy, education
Not practical
Citizens who elect representatives and rely on
officials to run the government=representative
democracy-true democracy does not exist
Dictatorship
Single person or group has unlimited
power
Not bound by a constitution or law
No free vote
◦N. Korea, Belarus
Federation
Government power divided by a constitution
Split between a central/federal government and the
countries regions
◦States, district, provinces, territories
Federal laws influence the regions and citizens
United States, Brazil, Mexico, Russia
Monarchy
Authority given to one person
Gained power by birth/reigns until death
Replaced by heirs-sons or daughters usually
◦Oman, Saudi Arabia, Swaziland
Most monarchies combine with a constitutional
government
Republic
People represented by politicians who vote on laws
People don’t vote on EVERYTHING directly
Majority of the world believes themselves to be
republics
◦United States, France, Russia, Mexico
Socialism
Controls the planning, producing, and distribution of
goods
Aims to equally distribute goods and labor among citizens
Differs from communism because there is not one ruler or
ruling party
No true socialists, only countries with socialize programs
like health care and education
◦ European nations
Theocracy
Deity or God is recognized as the supreme civil ruler and
leader
Government is subject to religious laws
Interpreted by spiritual leaders believed to be in direct
communication with God
◦ Vatican City and The Pope
◦ Saudi Arabia and Iran are sometimes called theocracies
leaders are not Islamic authorities, but Islamic rules are a
part of government
Totalitarian
Government has total control over its people
Controls economics, policies, beliefs, attitudes, and
values
Use force and intimidation to control
Propaganda, media control, censorship
◦N. Korea