Forms of Government
What is a democracy?
A system where people vote to elect their leaders and make decisions.
refers to the absence of government or authority, often envisioned as a society of voluntary cooperation.
Anarchy
Define ideology
a system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy.
In a democracy, power belongs to this group.
people/ citizens
This principle means everyone must follow the law, even leaders.
Rule of Law
What government has a king or queen as head of state?
Monarchy
a form of democracy where leaders are elected and the head of state is not a monarch.
Republic
Define state
a particular type of political system.
has sovereignty (independent legal authority).
In a monarchy, this person is the head of state.
king or queen
A political system where citizens vote on every law.
democracy
power is held by a small, elite group, often based on wealth, family ties, or military control.
Oligarchy
a system where power is concentrated in the hands of a single ruler or small elite with limited political freedom
Authoritarianism
Define government
the governing body of a nation, state, or community.
In a dictatorship, power is usually taken and kept by this method.
military force/ power
The system where the head of state is different from the head of government.
constitutional monarchy
What do we call a system where the government is controlled by one person with unlimited power?
A dictatorship or autocracy.
a government system where religious leaders rule in the name of a divine authority or based on religious law.
Theocracy
Define sovereignty
the authority of a state to govern itself or another state.
a self-governing state.
In a republic, leaders are chosen in this way.
elections
The U.S. has this type of system with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
Presidential system
What’s the difference between a federal and a unitary government?
Federal divides power between national and regional governments; unitary centralizes power in one government.
one where a single central government holds most or all of the power, with limited authority given to local units.
unitary system
What do governments do?
make binding decisions on behalf of a particular community
protecting economic, social, and political rights
providing security, law, and order
A political system where power is divided between central and regional governments.
federal system
A system where the legislature selects the head of government.
parliamentary system