Types of Government
Objective
 Students will demonstrate an understanding of the main forms of
government by obtaining proficiency on a quiz
Agenda
 Bellringer
 Review Questions
 Types of Government notes
 Independent work: Organizer p. 12
Feudalism
 DECENTRALIZED political system based on a RIGID
SOCIAL HIERARCHY due to a need for PROTECTION. This
form of government is associated with MANORIALISM
which is the ECONOMIC SYSTEM based on SELF
SUFFICIENCY
Absolute Monarchy
 Form of government in which there is only ONE ruler
(King, later on could be Queen) and this ruler does not
seek approval from any one or any legislative body to
do whatever they want. Rule by DIVINE RIGHT.
 Examples: England (Charles I, James I), Russia (Ivan IV),
Spain (Ferdinand)
Limited Monarchy
 Form of government in which there is ONE ruler (King,
later on could be Queen) who MUST seek permission to
raise taxes, wage war, etc… from the people they
govern through a legislative body (ie: parliament)
 Examples: England (William and Mary)
Totalitarianism
 Form of government that controls all aspects of citizens’
lives under the authority of one single charismatic
leader. Characterized by extreme censorship and no
political discourse (speech/parties). Economic, social,
political, and cultural control.
 Examples: Joseph Stalin (Russia), Benito Mussolini (Italy),
Adolf Hitler (Germany), Mao Zedong (China)
Communism
 Originally an economic system, communism has
become a form of government that advocates class
warfare which leads to a society in which all property is
publicly owned and each person works and is paid
according to their abilities and needs.
 Examples: China, Cuba, Soviet Union
Democracy (true)
 Form of government in which the entire population of a
country decides on all actions the country takes
(majority rule) as determined through voting
 Examples: Ancient Greece (Pericles)
Republic
 Form of government in which the whole population of a
country elects representatives (majority rule/voting) that
make decisions for the whole country.
 Examples: USA, France, Ancient Rome