Definitions
In this type of democracy, citizens are directly involved in the day-to-day work of running the government, which could include making the laws or serving as judges.
What is a Direct Democracy?
This type of "government" has zero rulers.
What is Anarchy?
Founded in 1776, this North America country broke away from its former monarchy to become its own representative democracy.
What is the United States?
This type of government derives from the Greek language, meaning "rule by the people."
What is Democracy?
In this type of government, a ruler's oldest child is usually chosen to replace him or her.
What is a monarchy?
This type of government, which might be a dictatorship or a monarchy, gives one person all the power.
What is an Autocracy?
This country was run entirely by white citizens until 1994, when it opened voting and governing to all its people, resulting in the election of Nelson Mandela as its president
What is South Africa?
The name for this type of government translates in Greek to "rule by a few."
What is Oligarchy?
A type of government where religious law is used to settle disputes and rule the people.
What is a theocracy?
This type of government is controlled by "a few" people, or a small group.
What is an Oligarchy?
This large Middle Eastern country, whose capital is Riyadh, is a monarchy whose laws are based on the Islamic religion.
What is Saudi Arabia?
Part of this governing type's name derives from the ancient Greek word for God.
What is Theocracy?
A type of oligarchy in which power is held by a small military group, typically one that took over that country by force.
What is a junta?
The number of people holding power in this type of government depends entirely on how many citizens live there.
What is a Democracy?
Though a theocracy, this Middle Eastern country that borders the Strait of Hormuz is also a representative democracy.
What is Iran?
In ancient Greek, the name of this type of government means "rule by oneself."
What is Autocracy?
Some argue that America resembled this government type in its early years, because voting rights and government power was limited to white male landowners.
What is an Oligarchy?
The name for this type of autocratic ruler derives from Latin, meaning "one who says."
What is a Dictator?
This "cheesy" European country, which shares borders with France, Italy and Germany, has both a representative democracy and a direct democracy form of government.
What is Switzerland?
This word derives from ancient Greek, which translates to "without a ruler."
What is Anarchy?