COMPARING FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
SS.7.C.3.1 Compare different forms of government (direct democracy, representative democracy,
socialism, communism, monarchy, oligarchy, autocracy).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LESSON SUMMARY………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2
ESSENTIAL CONTENT BACKGROUND……………………………………………………………………………. 3
CIVICS CONTENT VOCABULARY…………………………………………………………………………………...13
SUGGESTED STUDENT ACTIVITY SEQUENCE…………………………………………………………………...14
STUDENT ACTIVITY RESOURCES/HANDOUTS…………………………………………………………………16
SOURCES……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….26
ANSWER KEYS………………………………………………………………………………………………………..27
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 1
Lesson Summary
Essential Questions
What are forms of government? How do they compare to each other?
NGSSS Benchmark
SS.7.C.3.1 Compare different forms of government (direct democracy, representative democracy,
socialism, communism, monarchy, oligarchy, autocracy).
Florida Standards
LAFS.68.RH.2.4
LAFS.7.SL.1.1
LAFS.68.WHST.3.8
LAFS.7.SL.1.2
LAFS.68.WHST.3.9
LAFS.7.SL.2.4
LAFS.68.WHST.4.10
MAFS.K12.MP.6.1
Overview
In this lesson, students will define and compare forms of government.
Learning Goals/Benchmark Clarifications
 Students will identify different forms of government based on its political philosophy or
organizational structure.
 Students will analyze scenarios describing various forms of government.
 Students will apply their understanding of the definitions of the various forms of government.
Benchmark Content Limits
 Items will not ask students to identify specific countries by a form of government.
 Items will not require students to evaluate the efficacy of different forms of government.
Civics EOC Reporting Category
Reporting Category 4 – Organization and Function of Government
Suggested Time Frame
 One 45-50 minute class period
Civics Content Vocabulary
 absolute monarchy, anarchy, autocracy, communism, democracy, dictatorship, direct democracy,
form of government, monarchy, oligarchy, representative democracy, republic, socialism
Instructional Strategies
 Collaborative
learning

Context Clues

Presentation
skills
Materials
A projector to display the Forms of Government Scenarios
Student activity sheets:
 Presentation Notes
 Forms of Government Definitions
Student reading materials:
 Forms of Government
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 2
Essential Content Background
This section addresses the following issues:
1. Forms of government explained
2. Forms of government in detail
3. Forms of government with country examples (graphic)
1. Forms of government explained
There are multiple factors that contribute to how we understand governments. One
approach is to consider the form of government which is also understood as the structure of
government. All governments, no matter their structure (or form) enjoy three powers: the power
to create laws (legislative), the power to enforce laws (executive) and the power to adjudicate
laws (judicial). The way that those powers are organized determines the form of government.
In the United States, for example, the U.S. Constitution begins with “we the people” which
speaks to the notion that the U.S. is a democracy. However, as the U.S. Constitution outlines a
system of representation through which the people rule, it is known as a republic, or a
representative democracy.
Several factors impact the form of government that a nation will adopt; these include, but
are not limited to the nation’s history, culture, values, beliefs, political participation, geography,
location, international relations, domestic concerns and past practices.
2. Forms of government in detail
AUTOCRACY
Definition: Autocracy is a form of government where one person has unlimited power.
Also known as/ related to: One form of an autocracy is a dictatorship where a military leader secures power
often through violent means. Another form of autocracy is an absolute monarchy where a person becomes the
sole leader of a country by being born into a family of rulers. Birth order and gender often determine who
becomes a ruler in a monarchy, including an absolute monarchy.
Explanation: A dictatorship is a government headed by a dictator.
Originally a military office, the dictator had absolute power, but for a limited time.
In the twentieth century, the term dictatorship has come to mean a government in which absolute power is
concentrated in the hands of a dictator and sometimes his closest associates. Many dictators have held the formal
title of "President", but they often hold unlimited, often non-constitutional powers.
Dictators can come to power in a variety of ways. They can be elected, be appointed by the ruling party, or
inherit their position. Still other modern dictators take power using violence and are supported by the military.
The dictator generally controls the three government powers: legislative, executive and judicial.
In a dictatorship, there are no elections. Sometimes dictators can first obtain power from democratic elections,
but shortly after being elected the dictator will ban all opposing parties and cancel all future elections. Though
free elections will never occur under a dictatorship, sometimes dictators arrange for phony elections in an attempt
to grant themselves the appearance of democracy and public support.
For most of history dictatorship has been the most common form of rule. In early European history power was
held by a variety of absolute monarchs who ruled their kingdoms with mostly unlimited powers. As the years
went on, support for the people ruling themselves, and the rule of law, began to spread, and so too did the rise of
constitutions and democracy. Monarchs lost most of their powers to elected legislature and in some cases were
ended altogether, and replaced by republics.
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In the 20th Century two World Wars were fought to prevent the rapid territorial expansion of dictatorships. Most
of those who started World War One were the few remaining absolute monarchs of Europe, while in World War
Two the villains were the elected dictators of Germany and Italy.
When World War Two ended, there was a widespread "dumping" of former European colonies in Asia and
Africa. In many cases independence was granted to these territories before it should have been, and many of
these new nations quickly collapsed into a military dictatorship. The post-WW2 Cold War between the
dictatorship of the Soviet Union and the United States of America also greatly affected global dictatorships, with
many of the world's dictators able to combine their hold on power by respecting the interests of the U.S. and the
Soviet Union. When the Cold War ended, many dictatorships (including the Soviet Union itself) quickly
collapsed and were replaced by democratic governments.
Today, dictatorship has reached a global low. South and Latin America, which were once largely controlled by
the rule of the military are now largely free and democratic, as well. Dictatorships remain in certain regions of
Africa, Asia, and most of the Middle East. A new global commitment to human rights has also helped force
many dictators out of favor, and prevent the rise of new ones. Today, dictators and dictatorship members are
often held accountable for their acts, such as through the United Nations.
Source: Adapted from “Dictatorship” available at: http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/di/Dictatorship
COMMUNISM
Definition: Communism is a theory and system of social and political organization that played a big role in the
history of the 20th century.
Also known as/ related to: Socialism
Explanation: Communism is a classless society (no social classes) in which all property is owned by the
community as a whole and where all people are entitled to equal social and economic status. As a political
movement, communism is intended to overthrow capitalism (property based economy protected by the
government) through a workers’ revolution and redistribute the wealth in the hands of the working class.
Communist ideas have existed since ancient times. Primitive humans, living in tribes, worked for the benefit of
their entire clan and shared the fruits of their labor.
Many great thinkers have supported advanced Communist ideas. In his 4th-century BC work The Republic, the
Greek philosopher Plato proposed the communal ownership of property by an intellectual ruling class, to put the
welfare of the state above personal desire and moderate the greed of the producing classes.
The idea floated around during the Enlightenment and influenced many philosophers. The greatest amount was
on Rousseau, who was to have the greatest influence on the French Revolution.
The ideas of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, found in their Communist Manifesto, changed communism into a
revolutionary movement. Marx and Engels claimed Communism did not have to occur in isolated communities,
but globally. According to the Manifesto all history can be explained in terms of class struggles. In each society,
a minority of people owned or controlled the means (method) of production, made up by the ruling class. Most
people owned and controlled very little.
At the current stage of capitalism the capitalists who controlled the means of production took advantage of the
industrial workers by paying low wages and keeping the profits to themselves. In other words, workers had to
work to meet their own needs and those of the ruling class taking advantage of them. Marx thought it was only a
matter of time before the working classes of the world, realizing their common goals, would unite to take control
from the capitalists and redistribute the wealth. The establishment of communism would be the inevitable
outcome of a historical process.
According to Marx, capitalism would become socialism then eventually to communism.
Communism is sometimes also used to mean, particularly in capitalist nations, an autocratic government run by
the Communist Party, where central planning is used as a means of production and distribution. Because these
types of governments have often committed human rights abuses, some regard this idea of Communism as
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 4
dangerous.
Marxists disagree with this approach because Marxist communism refers to the ideal stateless (no government),
propertyless, and classless society with no abuse of workers and a focus on freedom. Society runs based on this
view:
“From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.”
Many nations in the 20th century were run by such Communist Parties, who identified themselves as true
communists and tried to govern themselves according to their view of Marxist principles.
Source: Adapted from “Communism” available at: http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/co/Communism
DIRECT DEMOCRACY
Definition: Direct democracy is rule by the people where the people make the laws.
Explanation: Democracy means the rule by the people. That is where each individual person has a vote about
what to do. Whatever the most people vote for becomes the law. There is no king or tyrant, and anybody can
propose a new law.
Direct democracy is a phrase that represents decisions where citizens pass laws directly, without using
representatives. The best known way that direct democracy is practiced is the “initiative”, which allows citizens
to place proposals on the ballot that become law if a majority of the electorate votes in favor. The referendum is
a form of initiative where voters may accept or reject proposals/laws made by their representatives but does not
permit citizens to make their own proposals.
One problem that comes up in a direct democracy is determining who is going to be able to vote. It was much
easier to allow fewer people to vote because fewer had to be taken from their regular work to vote. However, the
less people that were allowed to vote, the less that the principle of “rule by the people” was practiced.
The earliest direct democracy in the world began in Athens, Greece in 510 BC which allowed only men to vote.
When democracy proved to be successful in Athens, many other city-states (cities that also served the role of
nations) chose it for their government too. But most of them allowed even fewer people to vote than Athens did:
most of the other city-states only allowed free adult male citizens to vote if they owned land or owned their own
houses (that is, the richer people).
Another problem for direct democracies was that it was not easy for men to always be going to the meeting-place
to vote. Most men had work to do such as planting their grain, making shoes, fighting wars or doing other types
of work. They couldn't be always voting. So most democracies sooner or later ended up choosing a few men
who would do most of the voting, and the rest only came when there was a really important vote. It was hard to
decide how to choose these few men, and different cultures did it different ways. Athens did it by a lottery where
every man had an equal chance to be chosen at random to vote. Those men who were chosen served for one
year.
Direct democracy spread around the Mediterranean (referring to the countries of Europe that bordered the
Mediterranean Sea) but it was pretty much wiped out by the Roman Empire about 100 BC. Still, places like
Athens continued to use direct democracy to make their own decisions on local matters for a long time after that.
A thousand years later, in the Middle Ages, some cities went back to having a democratic government. These
were all organized in slightly different ways, but none of them allowed the poor or women to vote, and some had
a lottery system like Athens.
Sources: Adapted from “Democracy” available at: http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/government/democracy.htm and
“Direct Democracy” in The Encyclopedia of Public Choice available at: http://www.credoreference.com.ezproxy.lib.ucf.edu/entry/sprpubchoice/direct_democracy
MONARCHY
Definition: Monarchy is a form of government in which power is held by a single person whose right to rule is
based on birth and who has the power to remain in office for life.
Explanation: Monarchy is a form of government in which power is held by a single person whose right to rule is
based on birth (that person is born into a family of kings and queens) and who has the power to remain in office
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for life. The power of this sovereign may vary; there are absolute monarchies (a type of autocracy) and
constitutional monarchies, where the monarch is strongly limited by a constitution that outlines a rule of law.
Monarchy has existed since about 3000 BC and was often established during periods of threat or crisis because it
provided an efficient focus of power.
In most countries with monarchies, the monarch serves as a symbol of strength and statehood. Many countries
have strong rules against the monarch becoming involved in partisan politics. In some cases, the symbolism of
monarchy along with the symbolism of a republic cause the combination to be divisive. For example, there is the
case of Australia where the question of keeping a monarch as head of state touches on divisive and debated
questions of national identity.
Since 1800, many of the world's monarchies have become republics. Most countries which retain monarchy have
limited the monarch's power, with most having become constitutional monarchies. England's monarchy was
famously limited by the Magna Carta of 1215.
In some cases, a monarchy based on birth exists, but actual power resides in the military. On several occasions
throughout history, the same person has served as monarch of separate independent countries.
In the 20th century, monarchs have generally become symbols of national unity, while real power has been
transferred to constitutional assemblies. Since the 1800s, democratic self-government has been established and
extended to such an extent that a true operating monarchy is not in place anywhere in the world. Most remaining
monarchies in place today are in the Middle East.
One interesting example is Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom who took power in 1952. As Queen of the
United Kingdom, she is the constitutional monarch of 16 governments including Australia, Canada, New
Zealand, South Africa and Jamaica, among others. Queen Elizabeth has no real power although she formally
appoints high-ranking members of the Church of England based on advice that she receives from the Prime
Minister of the United Kingdom. This power comes from Queen Elizabeth being the Supreme Governor of the
Church of England. Queen Elizabeth’s limited powers are quite different compared with the powers held by
King George III from whom the colonists declared independence in 1776.
The rules for choosing monarchs varies from country to country. In constitutional monarchies the rule of
succession is generally found in a law passed by parliament. Most European monarchies of the 21st century pass
power from the oldest male and then the oldest female if no males are qualified although other constitutional
monarchies allow only males to serve as monarchs.
Monarchies can come to an end in several ways. There may be a revolution in which the monarchy is
overthrown; or there may be a referendum in which the electorate decides to form a republic. In some cases, the
monarchy may be overthrown and then restored.
Sources: Adapted from “Monarchy” available at: http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/mo/Monarchy and “Monarchy and Kingship” available at:
http://www.questia.com/library/politics-and-government/systems-of-government/monarchy-and-kingship
OLIGARCHY
Definition: Oligarchy is a form of government where most political power is held by a small group in a society,
usually the wealthy.
Explanation: Oligarchy means the rule of the few, and those few are generally the people who are richer and
more powerful than the others. Because those with power in oligarchies are generally the rich in a society,
oligarchies are generally bad for the poor.
People who rule in oligarchies may be elected, born into their positions, or may have a certain amount of money
or land which entitles them to be a part of the ruling group.
Oligarchies are often controlled by a few powerful families whose children are raised and taught to inherit the
power of the oligarchy, often at some sort of expense to those who are governed. This power may not always be
exercised openly as there may be oligarchs who prefer to exercise control through economic methods. It has also
been suggested that most so-called communist countries fit the definition of oligarchy, in that the cruelest
segment of society comes to power by overthrowing other oligarchs.
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A society may become an oligarchy as a result of the shifting alliances of warring tribal chiefs, although any form
of government may change into an oligarchy at some point in its history. The most likely way for this change to
happen is a slow buildup of otherwise unchecked economic power. Oligarchies may also evolve into more
classically authoritarian forms of government, sometimes as the result of one family gaining power over the
others. Many of the European monarchies established during the late Middle Ages began in this manner.
Oligarchies may also become instruments of change, insisting that monarchs or dictators share power, thereby
opening the door to power-sharing by other elements of society. One example of this process occurred when
English nobles banded together in 1215 to force a reluctant King John I of England to sign the Magna Carta,
which showed recognition both of King John's decreasing political power and recognition that an oligarchy was
coming into place. As English society continued to grow and develop, the Magna Carta was repeatedly revised
(1216, 1217, and 1225), guaranteeing greater rights to greater numbers of people, thus setting the stage for
British constitutional monarchy.
Oligarchy was first identified as a form of government by the Greek philosopher Aristotle. In modern times there
have been a number of oligarchies which sometimes pose as democracies.
In ancient Greece an oligarchy meant a constitution where a portion of the community was in possession of
power. At that time, although it was acknowledged that an aristocracy often developed into an oligarchy, the two
were distinguished: ‘oligarchy’ meaning the government of the wealthy, who were looked upon as directing their
efforts towards their own betterment and the maintenance of their own power and privileges, while ‘aristocracy’
meant the rule of the best people for the public good.
There are some who argue that the United States is an informal or hidden oligarchy because power in the U.S.
republic is limited to the few who are wealthy. The few who are elected in the U.S. tend to be wealthier and
better educated than those they represent.
Sources: Adapted from “Oligarchy” available at: http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/government/oligarchy.htm “Oligarchy” available at:
http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/ol/Oligarchy and “Oligarchy” available at: http://www.credoreference.com.ezproxy.lib.ucf.edu/entry/heliconhe/oligarchy
REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY
Definition: In a representative democracy, the people rule themselves through elected representatives.
Also known as/ related to: Republic
Explanation: A republic, or representative democracy, is understood to be an independent state ruled by
representatives of the citizens of a nation. The term republic used to mean a form of government that was not
based on a monarchy and had popular control of the government. Today, in addition to the above characteristics,
a republic is a government in which all citizens have the right to vote and in which the government's power is
limited by a constitution.
A republic is different from a direct democracy in that the republic operates through a representative assembly
chosen by the citizenry, while in a democracy the public participates directly in governmental affairs. In actual
practice, most modern representative governments are closer to a republic than a democracy.
In a republic, instead of voting directly about what they want to do, as in a democracy, people instead vote for
people to represent them, and those people decide what to do.
Citizens of a representative democracy based on a form of majority voting may have an equal say at the ballot
box, but such a system does not guarantee that their interests will be represented. This form of representative
democracy does not therefore necessarily prevent a “dictatorship of the cultural majority,” whereby
representatives of minority cultures either fail to get elected or are too few in number to have any impact within
the legislature.
The meaning of representation is a question central to representative democracy.
Two principal meanings suggest themselves. One meaning suggests that representation means reflecting or
mirroring citizen groups that make up a society; the legislature should look like the society. Another meaning
suggests that the legislature acts on behalf of those it represents even if the background of the representative is
different from the citizens he or she represents.
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 7
The first republic was the Roman Republic (in Italy), which was founded about 509 BC, just about the same time
as the first democracy in Athens, Greece. The rules about who could vote were about the same as in Athens too:
slaves couldn't vote, and neither could women, or children, or men who were not citizens. In addition, in Rome
you could only vote if you owned land, so a lot of poor men could not vote at all even though they were free
citizens.
The republic was a lot more efficient than the direct democracy, because most men who could vote only needed
to vote in the big elections, and the rest of the time they could be at work. Only the Senators, the elected
representatives, had to be voting all the time. And men who had been elected to be judges or to run the city, those
were full-time jobs. Only people who could vote could be elected, so only free men who were citizens and
owned land could run for office.
But the aristocrats (the rich people) fixed it so that it was pretty much impossible to elect anyone who was not
already an aristocrat to the Senate. So this republic was a lot like an oligarchy in that it tended to be run by rich
people.
Sources: Adapted from “Republic” available at: http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/government/republic.htm, “Democracy” in Encyclopedia of Nationalism:
Leaders, Movements, Concepts available at: http://www.credoreference.com.ezproxy.lib.ucf.edu/entry/estnational/democracy and “Republic” in The Columbia
Encyclopedia available at: http://www.credoreference.com.ezproxy.lib.ucf.edu/entry/columency/republic
SOCIALISM
Definition: Socialism is a political and economic system where most property and resources are owned or
controlled by the public or the government.
Also known as/ related to: Communism
Explanation: Socialism usually refers to an economic system based on corporate (business) capitalism (property
based economy protected by the government), but where the government takes an active role in the economy and
is responsible for broad economic planning in the long term and for protecting those who can be taken advantage
of from any abusive characteristic of the market economy. Socialism is often considered an improvement on
capitalism.
Social Democrats (a political view based on moving from capitalism to socialism) believe that socialism is
desirable and achievable. Many Social Democrats argue that socialism already exists in some countries.
Conservatives, however, view this type of socialism as bureaucratic (an approach where unelected persons are
responsible for enforcing the laws established by government) and inefficient. Conservatives also argue that
socialism creates lazy, dependent people who gain unfairly.
Among a number of conservatives, particularly in the United States, this type of "socialism" is regarded as
basically the same as a communist-run economic system which they dislike.
To an extent all capitalists use elements of these social democratic policies. The term “mixed economy” is often
used to describe this practical situation. In this description all real economies involve both free markets and
government control. Among those of major countries, the economy of the United States best looks like a free
market, while other economies such as those of Germany or France are closer to a mixed economy that are one
half socialist and one half capitalist. The Soviet Union under Gorbachev (1985-1991) was attempting to move
towards a socialist system with strong free market elements when it collapsed. Even under other Soviet leaders,
such as Joseph Stalin (1941-1953) or Leonid Brezhnev (1964-1982) there was a thriving black market (economy
where items are bought and sold outside the law) in the Soviet Union so it could be said to be a mixed economy
as well even though it leaned heavily towards government control.
Karl Marx, who co-wrote the Communist Manifesto, focused on control of the means of production, which he
saw as passing from monarchs to the upper-middle-class creating capitalists under capitalism, and then to the
workers themselves, whose contributions he saw as not being given enough credit.
According to Marx, socialism is the period of between the overthrow of bourgeois rule and the development of a
classless, communist society. Marx described the function of socialism as completing the process of making
everyone equal, building and developing industry and farming, and defending the revolution from external attack
using the military. As this process was completed, the socialist state would "wither away" in favor of the final
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 8
stage of history, the classless "Communism of Abundance".
"Socialism" is a decision making structure that rests with central planners whose own goals are set by elite
committees or even individual rulers.
Conservative critics often argue that all socialist governments are anti-democratic, because the increased "size"
and power of such governments represents a concentration of power unseen in capitalist societies. In addition,
some believe that all economic organization not consistent with the free market violates human rights and
democratic principles.
Source: Adapted from “Socialism” available at: http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/so/Socialism
3. Forms of government with country examples
Bolivia
Form of Government
Head of Government
(2012)
Role of the Citizen
Republic
President Evo Morales (assumed office in 2006)
Vice President Álvaro García Linera (assumed office in 2006)
The people govern through elections
Brunei
Form of Government
Head of Government
(2012)
Role of the Citizen
Absolute Monarchy
Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah (assumed office in 1967) also services
as Brunei’s Prime Minister, Finance Minister and Defense Minister
None
Cuba
Form of Government
Head of Government
(2012)
Role of the Citizen
Communism
President Raul Castro (assumed office in 2011) also serves as Commander
in Chief of the Armed Forces and First Secretary of the Central committee
of the Communist Party of Cuba
Citizens elect the National Assembly of People’s Power (Parliament)
although there is just one candidate per seat in the Parliament.
Ghana
Form of Government
Head of Government
(2012)
Role of the Citizen
Representative Democracy
Interim President: John Dramani Mahama (assumed office in 2012 after the
death of President John Atta Mills in July 2012)
Citizens elect members of the Parliament, and the president.
Iran
Form of Government
Head of Government
(2012)
Role of the Citizen
Oligarchy
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (assumed office in 1989)
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (assumed office in 2005)
The people elect the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament)
North Korea
Form of Government
Head of Government
(2012)
Role of the Citizen
Autocracy
Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un (assumed office in 2011)
The people elect the Supreme People’s Assembly; however, only one
candidate for each seat who has been selected by the Democratic Front for
the Reunification of the Fatherland appears on the ballot.
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Spain
Form of Government
Head of Government
(2012)
Role of the Citizen
Switzerland
Form of Government
Head of Government
(2012)
Role of the Citizen
Venezuela
Form of Government
Head of Government
(2012)
Role of the Citizen
Monarchy
King Juan Carlos I (assumed office in 1975)
Prime Minister The Most Excellent Don Mariano Rajoy (assumed office in
2011)
The people elect the Congress of Deputies and the Senate through a multiparty system. The Congress of Deputies and the Senate are together known
as the Cortes Generales, the Spanish Parliament.
Direct Democracy
President of the Swiss Confederation Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf (assumed
office in 2012)
The people govern by electing the legislature although citizens play a
lawmaking role through national referenda including amendments to the
Constitution.
Socialism
President Nicolas Maduro (elected in April, 2013)
The people govern through elections.
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 10
Civics Content Vocabulary
Word/Term
Part of
Speech
noun
Definition
anarchy
noun
a form of autocracy where a person becomes the sole leader of
a country by being born into a family of rulers; there are no
limits on the monarch’s power
the absence of any form of government
autocracy
noun
a form of government where one person has unlimited power
communism
noun
democracy
noun
dictatorship
noun
direct democracy
noun
form of
government
monarchy
noun
a form of government in which a single ruling party owns and
controls the entire economy, and in which no private ownership
is allowed
a system of government in which political power is held by the
people
a form of autocracy where a military leader becomes the leader
of a country often through violent means
a form of government in which the power to govern is directly
in the hands of the people rather than elected representatives
the way a government is structured
oligarchy
noun
representative
democracy
noun
republic
noun
socialism
noun
absolute
monarchy
noun
a form of government headed by a king or queen who inherits
the position, rules for life, and holds power that can range
anywhere between limited to absolute
a form of government in which a small group (often of wealthy
people) has total control and power
a system of government in which the people elect
representatives to make policies and laws for them, also known
as a republic
a system of government in which the people elect
representatives to make policies and laws for them, also known
as a representative democracy
a form of government in which the government plays a major
role in running the economy, but private ownership is also
allowed and leaders may be elected by the people
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 11
Suggested Student Activity Sequence
1. To begin this lesson, place students into groups of 3-4.
2. Post the definition of anarchy on the board: the absence of any form of government.
3. Pose the following questions for discussion: “What would a country look like with
anarchy? Why do you think countries choose to have a form of government?”
4. List the following civics content vocabulary terms on the board: absolute monarchy,
autocracy, communism, direct democracy, monarchy, oligarchy, representative
democracy, republic and socialism.
5. Ask students to brainstorm what they think they know about these terms in their groups.
6. Provide students with time to brainstorm and then share out. Teacher note: This
brainstorm may produce misconceptions about forms of government, however this will
serve as an informal assessment of the students’ background knowledge.
7. Pass out a different “Form of Government” reading to each group. Teacher note: There are
seven forms of government readings included in this lesson, based on your class size
forms may have to be repeated. Be sure that each form is represented in the class. Pass out
enough copies of reading so that each group member has a copy of their assigned form of
government.
8. Pass out the “Presentation Notes” student activity sheet to each student.
9. Explain to students that their task is to read through their form of government, summarize
the big idea of the form of government and key evidence from the reading and then
present their findings to the class.
10. Provide time for students to complete the reading, summarize their findings and practice
their presentation for the class.
11. Pass out the “Forms of Government” student activity sheet and explain to students that
while each group presents, they need to listen and take notes on the main ideas that are
shared for each form.
12. Ask each group to present their findings to the class.
13. After each group presents their form of government, review the key points with students.
Teacher note: Utilize the Sample Answers section to ensure that students share accurate
key points with the class.
14. Ask the students to explain where absolute monarchy and republic fit into these forms of
government. Make sure students understand that an absolute monarchy is a form of
autocracy and that a republic and representative democracy are the same. Teacher note:
Students from the Autocracy and Representative Democracy groups should be able to cite
evidence from their readings to support these points.
15. Project the “Forms of Government Scenarios” activity sheet on the board and go through
the scenarios one at a time so that students have to apply their knowledge of the forms of
government and explain which form is being described.
16. Return students to their small groups from the beginning of the lesson and instruct them to
identify some comparisons between the forms of government. Instruct students to write
their list on the back of the “Forms of Government” student activity sheet.
17. Engage students in a whole class discussion comparing the forms of government. Have
students share the ideas they came up with. Some key comparisons to include:
o An absolute monarchy, autocracy, and monarchy are all led by a single ruler.
o A representative democracy and republic are the same form of government.
o Socialism and communism are focused on the economics of a country.
18. Check for Understanding (Formative Assessment):
Instruct students to write a well-crafted response using one of the following prompts:
Prompt 1
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 12
Choose two of the forms of government you have learned about during this lesson. Write
an informational paragraph, using specific evidence to explain what the two forms have in
common and what makes them different from each other.
Prompt 2
“It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other
forms that have been tried from time to time.” (Winston Churchill, former British prime
minister). Using information you have learned about different forms of government,
explain why Churchill would make this statement.
Extension Suggestion: To provide students with an additional opportunity to apply their
understanding of the forms of government, assign groups of 3-4 students to a form of
government. Explain to students that they will create a 30-60 second skit that describes
their assigned form of government. Students may speak during their skit, but they cannot
reveal the form of government they are acting out. Have students act out their skit and
have the other students use their understanding of forms of government to guess which
form is being acted out.
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 13
Presentation Notes
My group has been assigned the _______________________________________form of government.
What is the big idea about this form of government?
List five pieces of evidence from the reading that supports your big idea.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Summarize your findings in your own words below:
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 14
AUTOCRACY
An autocracy is a form of government where one person has unlimited power. One type of an
autocracy is a dictatorship where a military leader takes power often through violent means.
Another type of autocracy is an absolute monarchy where a person becomes the sole leader of a
country by being born into a family of rulers.
The term dictatorship means a government in which absolute power is centered in the hands of a
dictator and sometimes his closest partners.
Dictators can come to power in a variety of ways. They can be elected, be appointed by the ruling
party, or inherit their position. Some dictators have taken power using violence and are supported
by the military.
The dictator generally controls the three government powers: legislative, executive and judicial.
In a dictatorship, there are no elections. Sometimes dictators can first obtain power from
democratic elections, but shortly after being elected the dictator will ban all opposing parties and
cancel all future elections. Though free elections will never occur under a dictatorship, sometimes
dictators arrange for fake elections in an attempt to give themselves the appearance of democracy
and public support.
Source: Adapted from “Dictatorship” available at:
http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/di/Dictatorship
For Educational Use Only
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 15
COMMUNISM
Communism is a society with no social classes, all property is owned by the community and all
people have access to equal social and economic status. The goal of communism is to get rid of
capitalism (privately owned businesses and free markets) through a workers’ revolution and spread
the wealth to the workers.
Communist ideas have existed since ancient times. Early humans, living in tribes, worked for the
benefit of their entire clan and shared the goods produced by their labor as a group.
The ideas of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, found in their Communist Manifesto, changed
communism into a groundbreaking movement. Marx and Engels claimed communism did not have
to occur in isolated communities, but could happen globally.
From the communist point of view, the capitalists who controlled business production took
advantage of the workers by paying low salaries and keeping the profits to themselves. In other
words, workers had to work to meet their own needs and those of the ruling class taking advantage
of them. Marx thought it was only a matter of time before the working classes of the world,
realizing their common goals, would unite to take control from the capitalists and spread the
wealth.
Sometimes, the term communism is used to describe an autocratic (one person) government, run by
the Communist Party, where central planning is used for production and distribution of goods and
services. Because these types of governments have often committed human rights abuses, some
regard this idea of Communism as dangerous.
Source: Adapted from “Communism” available at:
http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/co/Communism
For Educational Use Only
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 16
DIRECT DEMOCRACY
Democracy means the rule by the people. That is where each individual person has a vote about
what to do. Whatever the most people vote for becomes the law. There is no king and anybody can
propose a new law.
Direct democracy is a phrase that represents decisions where citizens pass laws directly, without
using representatives. Each person casts their own vote for proposed laws, instead of having a
representative cast a vote on their behalf. A current example of the way direct democracy is
practiced is the “initiative”. This allows citizens to place proposals on the ballot that become law if
a majority of the voters vote for the proposal.
The earliest direct democracy in the world began in Athens, Greece in 510 BC, which allowed only
men to vote. As democracy became successful in Athens, many other city-states (cities that
functioned like nations) chose it for their government too. But most of them allowed even fewer
people to vote than Athens did: most of the other city-states only allowed free adult male citizens to
vote if they owned land or owned their own houses.
One problem that comes up in a direct democracy is deciding who is going to be able to vote. It is
much easier to allow fewer people to vote because fewer have to be taken from their regular work
to vote. However, the less people that were allowed to vote, the less the principle of “rule by the
people” was practiced.
Another problem for direct democracies was that it was not easy for men to always be going to the
meeting-place to vote. Most men had work to do such as planting their grain, making shoes,
fighting wars or doing other types of work. They couldn't be always voting. So most democracies
sooner or later ended up choosing a few men who would do most of the voting, and the rest only
came when there was a really important vote. It was hard to decide how to choose these few men,
and different cultures did it different ways.
Source: Adapted from “Democracy” available at:
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/government/democracy.htm and
“Direct Democracy” in The Encyclopedia of Public Choice available at:
http://www.credoreference.com.ezproxy.lib.ucf.edu/entry/sprpubchoice/direct_democracy
For Educational Use Only
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 17
MONARCHY
Monarchy is a form of government where power is held by a single person whose right to rule is
based on birth (that person is born into a family of kings and queens) and who has the power to
remain in office for life. The power of this ruler can vary. There are absolute monarchies, a type of
autocracy where the king or queen has unlimited power. There are also constitutional monarchies,
where the monarch’s power is strongly limited by a constitution that outlines the laws.
In most countries with monarchies, the monarch serves as a symbol of the country. Many countries
have strong rules against the monarch becoming involved in politics.
Since 1800, many of the world's monarchies have become republics. A republic is a form of
government where the citizens elect representatives to make and pass laws. Most countries that
have a monarchy have limited the monarch's power, making them constitutional monarchies.
The rules for choosing monarchs vary from country to country. In constitutional monarchies
deciding how power passes from one king or queen to another is generally found in a law passed by
parliament (legislature). Most European monarchies of the 21st century pass power from the oldest
male and then the oldest female if no males are qualified. Other constitutional monarchies allow
only males to serve as monarchs.
Monarchies can come to an end in several ways. There may be a revolution in which the monarchy
is taken over; or there may be a vote in which the citizens decide to form a republic.
Source: Adapted from “Monarchy” available at:
http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/mo/Monarchy and
“Monarchy and Kingship” available at:
http://www.questia.com/library/politics-and-government/systems-of-government/monarchy-and-kingship
For Educational Use Only
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 18
OLIGARCHY
Oligarchy means the rule of the few and generally means the people who are richer and more
powerful than the others. Because those with power in oligarchies are generally the rich in a
society, oligarchies are generally bad for the poor.
People who rule in oligarchies may be elected, born into their positions, or may have a certain
amount of money or land which allows them to be a part of the ruling group.
Oligarchies are often controlled by a few powerful families whose children are raised and taught to
take over the power of the oligarchy, often at some sort of expense to those who are governed.
Oligarchies can occur in countries with other forms of government and can create change. For
example, a group of wealthy people in a country may insist that their ruler, a monarch or dictator,
share power. This occurred in England in 1215 when a group of wealthy citizens came together and
forced King John I of England to sign the Magna Carta. This showed that King John's power was
decreasing and an oligarchy was coming into place. As English society continued to grow and
develop, the Magna Carta was revised a few times, each time guaranteeing more rights to greater
numbers of people.
Source: Adapted from
“Oligarchy” available at:
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/government/oligarchy.htm
“Oligarchy” available at:
http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/ol/Oligarchy
“Oligarchy” available at:
http://www.credoreference.com.ezproxy.lib.ucf.edu/entry/heliconhe/oligarchy
For Educational Use Only
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 19
REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY
A representative democracy, also known as a republic, is an independent country ruled by
representatives of the citizens of a nation. A republic is a government in which all citizens have the
right to vote and in which the government's power is limited by a constitution.
A republic is different from a direct democracy in that the republic operates with a group of
representatives chosen by the citizens, while in a direct democracy the citizens vote and participate
directly in governmental affairs. Most modern representative governments are closer to a republic
than a democracy.
In a republic, instead of voting directly about what they want to do, people instead vote for people
to represent them, and those people decide what to do.
Source: Adapted from “Republic” available at:
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/government/republic.htm
“Democracy” in Encyclopedia of Nationalism: Leaders, Movements, Concepts available at:
http://www.credoreference.com.ezproxy.lib.ucf.edu/entry/estnational/democracy
“Republic” in The Columbia Encyclopedia available at:
http://www.credoreference.com.ezproxy.lib.ucf.edu/entry/columency/republic
For Educational Use Only
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 20
SOCIALISM
As Karl Marx (1818-1883) originally defined it, socialism refers to an economic system where the
government takes an active role in the economy and is responsible for long term economic planning
and protecting those who can be taken advantage of by private businesses.
According to Marx, in a socialist society, the production and distribution of resources are controlled
by the people in the society or by the government that represents those people. Goods are produced
and distributed based on need instead of the desire to make money.
In a socialist economy, workers contribute to society based on their ability and receive goods
according to their needs, instead of just simply receiving money to purchase what they want.
Private possessions are limited to personal-use items such as food and clothes. There is no need or
ability for individuals to accumulate wealth so there is equality among the people.
Today, the word "socialism" has a much different meaning. In many countries around the world,
especially in Canada and parts of Europe and South America, the term refers to an economic
system based on a mix of several things. The national government can be responsible for a lot of
the long-term economic planning or owns some of the major industries. At the same time, people
are free to own private businesses and there are democratic elections where people are free to
choose their leaders and vote on other issues. For example, in Canada the health care system is paid
for and run by the federal government. Most Canadians receive care regardless of their health or
income. At the same time, Canadians can own their own businesses and citizens elect members of
Parliament (the legislature).
Source: Adapted from “Socialism” available at:
http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/so/Socialism, http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-socialism.htm and
http://www.canadian-healthcare.org
For Educational Use Only
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 21
Forms of Government Definitions
Directions: After each presentation, write down a definition of the form of government based on
what you hear from the presentation.
Form of
Government
Definition
Autocracy
(Absolute
Monarchy)
Communism
Direct
Democracy
Monarchy
Oligarchy
Representative
Democracy
(Republic)
Socialism
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 22
FORMS OF GOVERNMENT SCENARIOS
In the 20th Century two World Wars were fought to prevent the fast expansion
of this form of government. Most of those who started World War One were
the few remaining absolute monarchs of Europe, while in World War Two it
was the elected dictators of Germany and Italy.
In early European history government power was held by a variety of kings
and queens who ruled their kingdoms with mostly unlimited powers.
In his 4th-century BC work The Republic, the Greek philosopher Plato
proposed the communal ownership of property by an intellectual ruling class,
to put the welfare of the state above personal desire and moderate the greed of
the producing classes.
Some Native American tribes organized themselves by having all male adult
members of the tribe vote for any proposed laws or changes.
In the 20th century, kings and queens have generally become symbols of
national unity, while real power has been moved to constitutional assemblies.
Today, this form of government is mainly in place in the Middle East.
An example of this form of government emerged in 1215 in England when a
small group wealthy nobleman forced the king to share power. This moved the
country from one person holding all of the power to a small group holding
power.
An example of this form of government is the United States. Citizens elect
representatives at the national, state, and local levels of government to vote on
their behalf.
Some believe that this form of government is desirable and achievable. Others
view this form of government as inefficient and creates people who are
dependent and gain unfairly from the government managing the economics of
the country.
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 23
Sources
Forms of Government Readings & Scenarios Autocracy: Adapted from “Dictatorship” available at:
http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/di/Dictatorship
Communism: Adapted from “Communism” available at:
http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/co/Communism
Direct Democracy: Adapted from “Democracy” available at:
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/government/democracy.htm and “Direct Democracy”
in The Encyclopedia of Public Choice available at:
http://www.credoreference.com.ezproxy.lib.ucf.edu/entry/sprpubchoice/direct_democrac
y
Monarchy: Adapted from “Monarchy” available at:
http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/mo/Monarchy and “Monarchy and Kingship”
available at: http://www.questia.com/library/politics-and-government/systems-ofgovernment/monarchy-and-kingship
Oligarchy: Adapted from “Oligarchy” available at:
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/government/oligarchy.htm “Oligarchy” available at:
http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/ol/Oligarchy “Oligarchy” available at:
http://www.credoreference.com.ezproxy.lib.ucf.edu/entry/heliconhe/oligarchy
Representative Democracy: Adapted from “Republic” available at:
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/government/republic.htm
“Democracy” in Encyclopedia of Nationalism: Leaders, Movements, Concepts available
at: http://www.credoreference.com.ezproxy.lib.ucf.edu/entry/estnational/democracy
“Republic” in The Columbia Encyclopedia available at:
http://www.credoreference.com.ezproxy.lib.ucf.edu/entry/columency/republic
Socialism: Adapted from “Socialism” available at:
http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/so/Socialism, http://www.wisegeek.org/what-issocialism.htm and http://www.canadian-healthcare.org
Winston Churchill Quote: http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/24926.html
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 24
Autocracy – Sample Answers
What is the big idea about this form of government?
An autocracy is a form of government where one person has unlimited power and they gain power in various
ways.
List five pieces of evidence from the reading that supports your big idea.
One type of an autocracy is a dictatorship where a military leader secures power often through violent
1.
means.
Another type of autocracy is an absolute monarchy where a person becomes the sole leader of a country
2.
by being born into a family of rulers.
Dictators can come to power in a variety of ways. They can be elected, be appointed by the ruling party, or
3.
inherit their position.
4.
… other dictators take power using violence and are supported by the military.
5.
The dictator generally controls the three government powers: legislative, executive and judicial.
Summarize your findings in your own words below:
An autocracy is a form of government where one person has unlimited power. Examples of autocracies are
dictatorships and absolute monarchies. Under a dictatorship, all power is held with the dictator and his or her
closest associates. In an autocracy, power can be achieved in a variety of ways. Dictators control all of the
government powers.
Communism – Sample Answers
What is the big idea about this form of government?
Communism is a classless society where all property is owned by the whole community and where all people
have access to equal social and economic status. Communism is also referred to as a form of government with one
ruler.
List five pieces of evidence from the reading that supports your big idea.
1.
… a society with no social classes
2.
… all property is owned by the community
… working classes of the world, realizing their common goals, would unite to take control from the
3.
capitalists and redistribute the wealth.
4.
… workers had to work to meet their own needs and those of the ruling class taking advantage of them.
5.
…communism is used to describe an autocratic government
Summarize your findings in your own words below:
Communism is a society where the community owns all of the property and wealth is equal among all people. In
this society, workers unite and take control of businesses. This is so that things are equal and no one is taking
advantage of them. Communism is also referred to as a form of government with one ruler.
Direct Democracy– Sample Answers
What is the big idea about this form of government?
A direct democracy is a form of government where people vote for and make the laws. This is a difficult form of
government to maintain because it takes a lot of time for everyone to be able to vote.
List five pieces of evidence from the reading that supports your big idea.
1.
Direct democracy is a phrase that represents decisions where citizens pass laws directly
The best known way that direct democracy is practiced is the “initiative”, which allows citizens to place
2.
proposals on the ballot that become law if a majority of the electorate votes in favor.
3.
One problem that comes up in a direct democracy is determining who is going to be able to vote.
Another problem for direct democracies was that it was not easy for men to always be going to the
4.
meeting-place to vote.
So most democracies sooner or later ended up choosing a few men who would do most of the voting, and
5.
the rest only came when there was a really important vote.
Summarize your findings in your own words below:
A direct democracy is a form of government where everyone gets to vote on all laws. In a direct democracy,
citizens are involved in their government but it can often create issues with determining who can vote and
figuring the best way for voting to occur. This form of government led to people choosing a few men who would
do most of the voting for them.
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 25
Monarchy – Sample Answers
What is the big idea about this form of government?
A monarchy is a form of government where power is held by one person. They are granted the power to rule
based on their birth into a particular family.
List five pieces of evidence from the reading that supports your big idea.
… power is held by a single person whose right to rule is based on birth (that person is born into a family
1.
of kings and queens)
2.
… who has the power to remain in office for life.
3.
There are absolute monarchies… and constitutional monarchies
4.
… rules for choosing monarchs varies from country to country
Most countries that have a monarchy have limited the monarch's power, making them constitutional
5.
monarchies
Summarize your findings in your own words below:
A monarchy is a form of government where power is held by one person. This person is in power because they
have been born into a certain family and they are able to rule for life. There are absolute monarchies and
constitutional monarchies. Many monarchies have become republics where citizens elect representatives to make
and pass laws for the whole country.
Oligarchy – Sample Answers
What is the big idea about this form of government?
An oligarchy is a form of government where a country is ruled by a small number of wealthy people.
List five pieces of evidence from the reading that supports your big idea.
… those with power in oligarchies are generally the rich in a society, oligarchies are generally bad for the
1.
poor.
2.
… controlled by a few powerful families whose children are raised and taught to inherit the power
3.
Oligarchies can occur in countries with other forms of government and can create change.
4.
… a group of wealthy people in a country may insist that their ruler, a monarch or dictator, share power.
This occurred in England in 1215 when a group of wealthy citizens came together and forced King John I
5.
of England to sign the Magna Carta.
Summarize your findings in your own words below:
An oligarchy is a form of government where a country is ruled by a small group of wealthy people. In this form of
government, the power is held with the rich and is not a good form of government for the poor. In this form of
government, the power is then passed on to the children of the wealthy. An oligarchy can be created when
wealthy people in a country work together and demand power is shared with them and the ruler.
Representative Democracy – Sample Answers
What is the big idea about this form of government?
A representative democracy, or republic, is an independent state ruled by representatives of the citizens of a
nation.
List five pieces of evidence from the reading that supports your big idea.
1.
… all citizens have the right to vote
2.
… the government's power is limited by a constitution
3.
… the republic operates with a group of representatives chosen by the citizens
4.
… modern representative governments are closer to a republic than a democracy
… people instead vote for people to represent them, and those people decide what to do.
5.
Summarize your findings in your own words below:
A representative democracy is also known as a republic. In this form of government, a country is ruled by
representatives that have been elected by the citizens. This form of government is not based on a single ruler but
instead by popular control. In a republic, all citizens have the right to vote and the power of the government is
limited by a constitution. The people vote for representatives and those people decided what to do.
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 26
Socialism – Sample Answers
What is the big idea about this form of government?
Socialism is an economic system where the government controls the economy.
List five pieces of evidence from the reading that supports your big idea.
1.
… an economic system where the government takes an active role in the economy
… is responsible for long term economic planning and protecting those who can be taken advantage of by
2.
private businesses
… production and distribution of resources are controlled by the people in the society or by the
3.
government that represents those people
4.
… workers contribute to society based on their ability and receive goods according to their needs
5.
There is no need or ability for individuals to accumulate wealth so there is equality among the people.
Summarize your findings in your own words below:
Socialism is an economic focused government where the central government is responsible for economic
planning and makes sure that people do not get taken advantage of. Citizens contribute to society and receive
goods according to their needs.
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 27
FORMS OF GOVERNMENT – Sample Answers
Directions: After each presentation, write down a definition of the form of government based on
what you hear from the presentation.
Form of
Government
Definition
Autocracy
(Absolute
Monarchy)
An autocracy is a form of government where one person has unlimited
power. Examples of autocracies are dictatorships and absolute monarchies.
Under a dictatorship, all power is held with the dictator and his or her
closest associates. In an autocracy, power can be achieved in a variety of
ways. Dictators control all of the government powers.
Communism is a society where the community owns all of the property
and wealth is equal among all people. In this society, workers unite and
take control of businesses. This is so that things are equal and no one is
taking advantage of them. Communism is also referred to as a form of
government with one ruler.
A direct democracy is a form of government where everyone gets to vote
on all laws. In a direct democracy, citizens are involved in their
government but it can often create issues with determining who can vote
and figuring the best way for voting to occur. This form of government led
to people choosing a few men who would do most of the voting for them.
Communism
Direct
Democracy
Monarchy
A monarchy is a form of government where power is held by one
person. This person is in power because they have been born into a
certain family and they are able to rule for life. There are absolute
monarchies and constitutional monarchies. Many monarchies have
become republics where citizens elect representatives to make and
pass laws for the whole country.
Oligarchy
An oligarchy is a form of government where a country is ruled by a small
group of wealthy people. In this form of government, the power is held
with the rich and is not a good form of government for the poor. In this
form of government, the power is then passed on to the children of the
wealthy. An oligarchy can be created when wealthy people in a country
work together and demand power is shared with them and the ruler.
A representative democracy is also known as a republic. In this form of
government, a country is ruled by representatives that have been elected
by the citizens. This form of government is not based on a single ruler but
instead by popular control. In a republic, all citizens have the right to vote
and the power of the government is limited by a constitution. The people
vote for representatives and those people decided what to do.
A socialist form of government is the process of the government taking an
active role in controlling the economy and protecting people so that they
cannot be taken advantage of by businesses. Socialism is the period in
between overthrowing the rich and become a classless, communist form of
government. In a socialist form, decisions are made by a small group of
people for the rest of the country.
Representative
Democracy
(Republic)
Socialism
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 28
FORMS OF GOVERNMENT SCENARIOS
In the 20th Century two World Wars were fought to prevent the fast expansion
of this form of government. Most of those who started World War One were
the few remaining absolute monarchs of Europe, while in World War Two it
was the elected dictators of Germany and Italy.
(AUTOCRACY)
In early European history government power was held by a variety of kings
and queens who ruled their kingdoms with mostly unlimited powers.
(ABSOLUTE MONARCHY)
In his 4th-century BC work The Republic, the Greek philosopher Plato
proposed the communal ownership of property by an intellectual ruling class,
to put the welfare of the state above personal desire and moderate the greed of
the producing classes.
(COMMUNISM)
Some Native American tribes organized themselves by having all male adult
members of the tribe vote for any proposed laws or changes.
(DIRECT DEMOCRACY)
In the 20th century, kings and queens have generally become symbols of
national unity, while real power has been moved to constitutional assemblies.
Today, this form of government is mainly in place in the Middle East.
(MONARCHY)
An example of this form of government emerged in 1215 in England when a
small group wealthy nobleman forced the king to share power. This moved the
country from one person holding all of the power to a small group holding
power.
(OLIGARCHY)
An example of this form of government is the United States. Citizens elect
representatives at the national, state, and local levels of government to vote on
their behalf.
(REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY/REPUBLIC)
Some believe that this form of government is desirable and achievable. Others
view this form of government as inefficient and creates people who are
dependent and gain unfairly from the government managing the economics of
the country. (SOCIALISM)
Organization and Function of Government | SS.7.C.3.1 – Updated 7/15 | 29