GOVERNMENT TYPES CHEAT SHEET
Representative Democracy
Direct Democracy
Dictatorship
Absolute Monarchy
Constitutional Monarchy
Oligarchy
Theocracy
Anarchy
Communism
*Head- President
*Representatives are elected by majority vote
*Representatives are expected to reflect voter’s
wants and needs
Ex.: United States
*ALL citizens make decisions
*ALL citizens vote for decisions
*Rule by ONE
*Dictator has absolute power
*Usually backed by the military
*Dictator often tries to act like a god
Ex: North Korea
*Ruled by a King or Queen
*Rule is hereditary
*King or Queen claims divine right
*King or Queen has TOTAL control
*King or Queen is head of state, but NOT head of
the government
*Head of government is usually a prime minister
*King or Queen’s power is limited to a constitution
or representative body to make government
decisions
Ex: Great Britain
*State ruled by a small group of citizens
*Ruled is based on wealth
*Rule by a few
*Based on religion
*Rulers are spiritual leaders
*Laws are religious in nature (“fear of god”)
Ex: Iran
*No clear ruler
*Individuals can do whatever they want
*The government plans and controls the economy
*A single party holds the power
*Strives to make everyone equal
Name___________________________________________________
NAME THE GOVERNMENT TYPE
*Use the chart to determine the government types described below.
1. People control the government and vote directly on the
issues.
2. The people choose representatives to run the government.
3. Power is inherited.
4. Ruled by religious leaders.
5. The United States has this type of government.
6. The leader has absolute power.
7. Head of state is a King or Queen (not head of the
government).
8. There is an absence of any governmental authority.
9. Strives to make everyone equal.
10. One person holds all the power and is usually backed by
the military.
11. Ruled by a small group of citizens and based on wealth.
12. King or Queen claims divine right.
13. North Korea has this type of government.
14. Rule is based on religion.
15. The government plans and controls the economy.
*Answer each of the questions below.
16. How are a monarchy and dictatorship similar?
17. How is a Constitutional Monarchy different from an Absolute Monarchy?
18. What is the difference between a Representative and Direct Democracy?
19. What do an Oligarchy and Theocracy have in common?
20. Why would anarchy typically result in chaos?
KEY:
1. Direct Democracy
2. Representative Democracy
3. Absolute Monarchy
4. Theocracy
5. Representative Democracy
6. Dictatorship & Absolute Monarchy
7. Constitutional Monarchy
8. Anarchy
9. Communism
10. Dictatorship
11. Oligarchy
12. Absolute Monarchy
13. Dictatorship
14. Theocracy
15. Communism
16. They both have one ruler.
17. A King or Queen has total control in an Absolute Monarchy, but they are bound by a
constitution in a Constitutional Monarchy.
18. In a Representative Democracy, all citizens do not vote for everything. Representatives
vote in reflection of the people’s opinions. In a Direct Democracy, everyone votes for
everything.
19. Both are ruled by a few.
20. There are no rules or a government to keep people under control.