1. Idi Admin was a corrupt military ruler of Uganda. He created and enforced laws that benefited himself instead of his
country and Ugandans. He had total control and did not listen to any of his advisors. The people were at the mercy of
his mood and decisions… they had NO voice. In fact, they were often tortured, imprisoned, and sometimes killed
because they disagreed with him. The outside world did not know of his evil nature until after a couple of decades of
rule.
2. India is a large country! In order to have organization among its people, the government is divided between one
national government and over one hundred local governments. In each State people vote for their representatives in the
national and local governments. However, the elected officials vote from among themselves for a Prime Minister.
3. Saddam Hussein was the leader of Iraq. Under his rule he executed anyone who went against him politically.
Under his rule Iraq had which type of government?
4. After South Africa abolished apartheid, all citizens were now given the opportunity to vote for their elected
officials.
5. You are an elected leader of a country. You were elected by the citizens of your country in the last
national election. Your country’s legislature has proposed a new law. You disagree with this law and
plan to veto it when it comes to your desk. You are separate from the legislature. Which form of
government do you have?
6. In which system of government does the legislature elect the executive leader of the government?
7. In order to regulate the production and price of oil, several Middle Eastern countries formed OPEC, the Organization
of Exporting Countries. The organization is made up of several independent countries that all have different types of
government. However, each country has equal voice and voting power.
8. China has a government where one small group or party rules over the entire country. Only the high ranking
appointed members of the one party rule. If you are not part of the political party then you have no say in the
government. The common man has very little say in the government.
9. Independent countries around the world formed the United Nations, or UN. This organization of independent
countries tries to encourage peace throughout the world! Each country that is a member sends a representative. If
there is a problem or issue, a country can address it to the UN and the UN can make suggestions on how to solve the
problem. If a country is violating an international law, they can enforce economic sanctions or send in a common
military to reestablish law and order to the country.
10. Myanmar is a country in SE Asia where the military rules the country. Different military officials make all decisions
for the people for the country. If you are not part of the favored military party, then you have no say or vote within the
government.
11. Ethiopia is a rare country in Africa. In Ethiopia, the power is divided between the national government and the ethnic
groups of Ethiopia. The people elect members to the national government as well as the ethnic groups themselves
rule their own local group.
12. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is neither democratic or a republic! It is ruled by a military leader who calls
himself President and has absolute rule! No decision is made unless the President commands it. They have elections,
but there is usually only one person on the ballot!
13. McCainia is ruled by a totalitarian military leader. She overthrew the previous military leader in a military coup.
Now her citizens have no choice but to submit to her total authority.
14. On the planet of Nebu, the Princess has no real power according to their new constitution. There is a Prime
Minister and senators in one national government who make and approve the laws over the whole planet. The
people vote for the senators and Prime Minister every 3 years.
15. In this rare land, the power is divided between a national government and individual ethnic local governments.
The citizens elect ethnic leaders who then represent them in the national government.
16. In the country of Whoomtaria the government is divided between a national government and local governments.
Power is divided and local governments make laws that cater to their residents. People elect every 5 yrs.
17. The country of Dallastonia is ruled by one governing body that not only makes the laws but also enforces them.
The citizens of Dallastenia went to the polls last month to vote for individual members for the ruling body, but
after that election, the members of the governing body elected their own leader.
18. Citizens who are skilled dancers (as determined by a dancing skills test) become members of the People’s Dancer
Party. This select group has the opportunity to vote and make decisions for Dancetomania. They hold the power
of the government.
19. Davisopolis is ruled by a member of the country’s military, and he has complete control. The ruler oversees all
aspects of the country’s government and does not allow the citizens, even his advisors of Davisopolis to
participate.
20. There is one governing body in Infinityville where the people live forever, but the government officials may
change. The one national government makes laws for its citizens. The lawmakers of the national government are
representatives elected by the people to serve in their government.
21. Wowzerria was formed when a group of independent islands in the Pacific decided to join their governments
together for the purpose of attracting tourist trade to their area.
22. The Planet of Neptune has a government that is divided into two ruling bodies.: The House of Representative
People and the Chamber of Senators. Each house has special duties to make and revise laws before the President
approves them. The people elect representatives and Presidents every 7 years
23. Last year, King McClure inherited the throne in the country of McClureville. King McClure will retain sole power
over the government, and the people of McClureville will remain inactive in government.
24. Welcome to the land of sun worshippers. No tanning beds will be found here. No siree! All citizens spend no less
than one hour daily offering themselves to the rays of the sun. Their noble religious ruler lives on the mountaintop
and comes every SUNday to give his citizens directives he’s received from the god of the sun. There is no need
for voting, representatives, or a division of power. All that is needed is their trustworthy religious leader as the
sun god has directed him.
25. A small group of technology whizzes are in control of the government of Techiland. They have complete power
in running the businesses and schools, as well as the government of Techiland. They welcome new members to
join their party, but only the “techies” may run for office.
26. On a farm not far from here, the animals are conspiring to create a more perfect farm community. The chickens
have elected a representative, as have the cows, the pigs, and the geese and goats. Each representative is voicing
the complaints of his flock, herd, etc. These representatives will form the new lawmaking body of the farm which
will, in turn, elect one leader. They hope to soon enjoy a more orderly farm with more individual freedom as well.
27. Rainbow city gets its name for the splashes of color throughout thanks to the paintball army which rules the land.
Only members of this colorful military have any power and the paintball army general is the ruler of the land.
28. The country of Himbuya on the Planet of Mars has a government where there is one national government with a
Prime Minister who rules. According to their laws, the Martians elect representatives to the national government
and the representatives ask the Martians to vote for some of their laws.
Fish Bowl Governments Data Sheet
Country Name
Afghanistan
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Saudi
Arabia
UAE
Turkey
Democratic
Republic of the
Congo
Egypt
Kenya
Nigeria
South Africa
Sudan
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
North Korea
South Korea
Vietnam
Government
Type
Unitary or
Federal
Autocratic, Oligarchic or
Democratic
Country “Issues”