Forms of Governments
Unit 2: Human Geography - Governments
Limited vs. Unlimited Government
Limited Government: A government limited by the citizens through checks and
balance. Everyone, even authority figures must obey all rules stated in a strong
Constitution
Ex: Democracy and Republic
Unlimited Government: Control is placed entirely in the leader's hands and
his/her appointees. No limit is placed on the leader’s power. Government has no
or weak Constitution.
Ex: Monarchy, Dictatorship, Theocracy, Oligarchy
Limited Government
Democracy: a system of government in which political power is held by the
people
Parliamentary Democracy: democratic form of government in which the party
with the greatest representation in the parliament (legislature) forms the
government, its leader becoming prime minister or chancellor.
Ex: Germany
Ruled by Many
Limited Government
Republic: a system of government in which the people elect representatives to
make policies and laws for them.
Ex: United States of America
Ruled by Many
Unlimited Government
Dictatorship: Military leader who becomes the leader of a country often through
violent means.
Ex: North Korea, Cuba
Ruled by One
Unlimited Government
Monarchy: a form of government headed by a king or queen who inherits the
position by birth, rules for life, and holds power that can range anywhere
between limited to absolute.
Ex: Saudi Arabia
Limited Power: Ruled by Few
Absolute Power: Ruled by One
Unlimited Government
Oligarchy: a form of government in which a small group (often of wealthy
people) has total control and power.
Ex: China
Ruled by Few
Unlimited Government
Theocracy: a form of government in which God or a deity is recognized as the
supreme civil ruler, the Gods or deity's laws being interpreted by the
ecclesiastical authorities.
Ex: Iran Ruled by Few
Word Association
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Religious based Government
Ruled by One, power through
military
Ruled by Many,
Representative make laws
Ruled by Many, power to the
people
Ruled by Few, usually
wealthy
Power inherited by birth
The government of the U.S.A
1.
Theocracy
2.
Dictatorship
3.
Republic
4.
Democracy
5.
6.
7.
Oligarchy
Monarchy
Republic