Types of Governments Flashcards
Monarchy
-kingdom or empire is ruled by a king or queen
*a type of autocracy
Dictatorship
-one person rules with absolute power
(a type of autocracy)
Theocracy
-a government controlled by one or more religious leaders who claim to rule on behalf of God or the gods worshipped in their country
Direct Democracy
-all people meet and make laws and decide which actions to take
(works for small communities)
Representative Democracy
-the people elect representatives to carry on the work of government for them and act on their behalf
Oligarchy
-power rests with a small number of people whom all share some common trait
What are the purposes of the government?
-help people cooperate
-provide services
-provide laws
-guaranteeing freedom
Autocracy
-supreme power is concentrated in the hands of one person
What aspects of a country are often controlled by dictatorship?
-religion
-culture
-politics
-personal activities
Aristocracy
-rule by the nobility
A form of government where political power is in the hands of a small class of privileged individuals who claim a higher birth than the rest of society.
Communism
-a society in which all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs
Capitalism
(aka free market)
-an economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit
Republic
-form of government in which a state is ruled by representatives of the citizen body
The United States is a…
Republic
Anarchy
-a place where there are no laws; no government
*can be natural or temporary
Totalitarian
-government that controls every aspect of a citizen’s life
Constitutional Monarchies
-king and queen have limited power, but represent their country
dictator
-a person who rules with absolute power
bicameral government
-a government with a two-part legislature
(house of representatives and senate)
Constitutional Republic
-people select some of their members to temporarily serve in political office; citizens and governing officials are bound to follow their constitution
authoritarian
-government enforces strict obedience and does not grant its citizens civil or political rights
Unitary System
-a single central entity holds all power and authority; a strong central government controls what subnational governments do
Federal
-same territory is controlled by two levels of government; limited national government, elected government officials
Confederal
-local government is stronger than central government; depends on cooperation of parts/states
Economic System
-government and businesses organize & distribute all resources within a given geographical area
Socialism
-economic system in which all major industries are owned by workers rather than government
Monopoly
-market structure where a single seller/producer has significant control over the market; only one company sells a product
Sole Proprietorship
-someone owns a small, unincorporated business by themselves
Partnership
-business where two or more people share the responsibilities, costs, profits, and losses
Corporation
-business is recognized as a separate legal entity
Non-profit Organization
-organization provides goods/services without seeking to earn a profit
