TYPES OF GOVERNMENT
The following information outlines some of the most common forms of government. Read
the information below and provide advantages and disadvantages that may be associated
with these governments. Try to think of examples where these types of government exist in
the real word.
THEOCRACY: The combination of strong national pride and strong religious beliefs has lead to the
control of the government by religious leaders.
Advantages:_____________________________________________________________
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Disadvantages: __________________________________________________________
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Country:_______________________________________________________________
MONARCHY: Power is inherited and passed down the Royal family line (hereditary).
Advantages:_____________________________________________________________
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Disadvantages: __________________________________________________________
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Country:________________________________________________________________
DICTATORSHIP: Power is in the hands of ONE individual, who usually has the support of the army.
Advantages:_____________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Disadvantages: __________________________________________________________
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Country:________________________________________________________________
FASCISM: Rigid one party dictatorship type government; opponents are often eliminated, the state
owns most property and controls most aspects of daily life..
Advantages:_____________________________________________________________
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Disadvantages: __________________________________________________________
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Country:________________________________________________________________
DEMOCRACY: Power lies in the hands of officials who are elected by the people. Individuality and
freedom of expression are valued in a democracy.
Advantages:_____________________________________________________________
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Disadvantages: __________________________________________________________
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Country:________________________________________________________________
CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY: Where a parliament (elected officials) and the monarch rule
together under the law.
Advantages:_____________________________________________________________
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Disadvantages: __________________________________________________________
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Country:________________________________________________________________
COMMUNIST: government owns all land and property, all production and distribution is controlled
by the state, in theory everyone is equal and works towards sharing wealth.
Advantages:_____________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Disadvantages: __________________________________________________________
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Country:________________________________________________________________
TYPES OF GOVERNMENT
Theocracy:
Advantage:
$
General agreement on operation of the country
$
Keeps the traditions of the country
$
People look-up to the leaders
Disadvantage:
$
Driven be religion theory
$
May result in poor decisions made by the government
$
Can result in discrimination
Countries: Iran, Vatican City in Italy
Monarchy:
Advantage:
$
No worry or conflict over elections
$
Stable, long lines of heirs
$
Traditions of the country will carry on
Disadvantage:
$
Can be restrictive because people do not have the vote
$
Does not represent the entire society
$
Legacy of the past may be negative
$
Elitist
Countries: early England, UAE, Iran, Jordan, Monaco, Brunei
Dictatorship:
Advantages:
$
Little or no conflict in government because decisions made by and individual
$
No debate, no negotiation -> quick decisions
$
Strong leadership
$
Security for the people
Disadvantages:
$
Your life is the hands of one individual
$
The leader might lack the proper qualities for a leader
$
If mistakes are made, there is no recourse
Countries: Cuba, Rome - past, Iraq, Soviet Union - past, PRC
Communism:
Advantages:
$
More equal spread of economic resources
$
Theoretical input from the people as to decisions affecting the nation
Disadvantages:
$
Practically often there are concerns that the people’s problems often go unaddressed
$
Centralized power structure (in practice - not in theory)
Countries: old U.S.SR., P.R.C., Cuba
Democracy:
Advantages:
$
People choose to leader that will address their needs
$
Chance to re-elect good leaders
$
Mistakes will be costly for all
Disadvantages:
$
Minority is out of luck
$
If the leader turns out to be poor, people must wait until end of term
Countries: United States, France, Germany
Constitutional Monarchy:
Advantages:
$
Concerns of everyone addressed
$
Checks and balances between the two areas of government
$
Keeps some traditions
Disadvantages:
$
Competition between the two areas of government
$
Decisions are slow (too much negotiation)
Countries: England, Spain, Canada
Fascism:
Advantages:
$
Keeps opponents quiet (no disturbances / conflicting ideas)
$
Decisions are quick
Disadvantages:
$
No alternative view accepted (often brutal)
Countries: Germany (under Hitler), Italy (under Mussolini), Chile (under Pinochet)