Forms of government/Types of rule Flashcards
What is anarchy?
Anarchy is a society without enforced government. Anarchists reject hierarchy (leaderlessness).
What is an aristocracy?
An aristocracy is a form of government in which power is in the hands of a small, privileged, ruling class. The term derives from the Greek “aristokratia”, meaning “rule of the best”.
What is an autocracy?
An autocracy is a form of government in which a supreme power is concentrated in the hands of one person. The ruler is subject to neither legal restraints nor regularized mechanisms of popular control.
What is democracy?
Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens participate equally. Democracy derives from the Greek and means “rule of the people.”
What is despotism/tyranny?
Despotism/ Tyranny is a form of government in which the rulers abuse their power and authority to oppress their people. The term derives from the Greek and means “rule in the fashion of a despot.”
What is a dictatorship?
A dictatorship is a form of government in which a state is ruled by either an individual or a small group of people (e.g. military, political party). It refers to an autocratic form of absolute rule unrestricted by law or a constitution.
What is an epistocracy?
Eristocracy is the aristocracy of the wise. Plato considered it to be the future political system for the entire human race, replacing democracy.
What is feudalism?
Feudalism is a system so structure society around relationships derived from the holding of land in exchange for service or labour. The term “feodum” derives from the medieval Latin and means “land grant.”
What is a gerontocracy?
A gerontocracy is a society where a leadership is reserved for older citizens. Gerontocracy derives from the Greek and means “rule of the elder men.”
What is a kleptocracy?
A kleptocracy is a form of government corruption, where the government exists to increase the personal wealth and political power of its officials and the ruling classes. Kleptocracy derives from the Greek and means “rule of thieves.”
What is communism?
Communism is a classless, moneyless and stateless social order structured upon common ownership of means of production. The term “communis” derives from the Latin and means “common.”
What is an absolute monarchy?
An absolute monarchy is a form of monarchy, where a monarch wields unrestricted political power over the sovereign state and its people, she/he is above the law.
What is a constitutional/parliamentary monarchy?
A constitutional/parliamentary monarchy is a form of democratic government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the boundaries of a constitution.
What is an oligarchy?
An oligarchy defines a form of government where such states are often controlled by a few prominent families. The term is also used to describe the rules of rich people. Oligarchy derives from the Greek and means “rule of a few.”
What is plutocracy?
Plutocracy is a system ruled and dominated by the small minority of the wealthiest citizens. They (ab)use their power to increase their wealth. Plutocracy derives from the Greek and means “rule of the wealthy.”
