Government Basics
The Latin root that means "to control" or "to steer a ship."
Govern
A government where one person has all the power.
Autocracy
A government led by religious leaders who rule according to religious beliefs.
Theocracy
A government and society based on social classes such as kings, nobles, knights, and peasants.
Feudalism
This suffix means "act" or "process."
-ment
This government is based on totalitarianism and the leader rules by fear.
Dictatorship
The source of authority in a theocracy.
Religious commands
The social class at the very top of feudal society.
Pope
Government is the system used to do this in a society.
Control, lead, or make decisions for people
This government is based on absolutism and the ruler has complete power.
Absolute Monarchy
A government where citizens vote directly on decisions.
Democracy
In feudalism, land moved from this person to nobles, then to knights and vassals.
King
The type of government used in the United States.
Democratic Republic
A king or queen with unlimited power would lead this type of government.
Absolute Monarchy
A system where there is no government and people have complete freedom.
Anarchy
An economic system where the government makes decisions to benefit society as a whole.
Socialism
In a democratic republic, citizens elect these people to make laws and decisions.
Representatives
This word describes a system where the government controls nearly every aspect of life.
Totalitarianism
The type of government in which elected leaders make decisions for the people.
Republic
The idea that the government owns the means of production and distribution.
Government ownership