Systems Of Government
Mr. Black
US Global 9
The Four Basic Government Systems
• There are FOUR (4) basic government systems (some government systems also have “subsystems”)
• The four basic government systems are:
2. Theocracies
3. Dictatorships
4. Democracies
4a. Parliamentary Democracies
4b. Presidential Democracies
1. Monarchies
1a. Absolute Monarchies
1b. Constitutional Monarchies
Monarchy
• In a monarchy, the ruler inherits his or her power
• When they die, power is automatically passed to one of monarch’s children
• E.G., king, queen, emperor, empress
• 2 types: absolute and constitutional
Absolute Monarchy
• King/Queen has absolute rule over subjects
• Power is claimed by divine right
• Freedoms and rights come only with the consent of the ruler
• People have no voice in selecting ruler
• Weakness: capabilities may vary
Bhutan, Brunei, Saudi Arabia and Swaziland are just a few examples of modern absolute monarchies
Constitutional Monarchy
• Power of ruler is limited
• Subjects enjoy basic rights, have a voice in government
• Power is shared- between monarch and elected legislature
Monaco, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom are just a few examples of modern constitutional monarchies
Theocracy
• Religious leaders rule over society (religion is the government).
• Rulers chosen by councils of religious priests or clerics
• Leaders claim to act in the name of god- expect strict obedience from members of society
• Iran
Dictatorship
• Like monarchy, a single person or small group has supreme power
• Dictator gains power by force or is put in that position and then takes action to strengthen their power
• Not responsible to the people and not limited by them
• Cuba
China, Cuba, North Korea and Sudan are just a few examples of modern dictatorships
Democracy
• Government authority is based upon people’s consent
• Direct Democracy: citizens vote on each issue
• Representative Democracy: the “will” of the people is carried out by elected officials
Democracy
• Government functions under the rule of law & liberties are guaranteed
• Respect given for individual freedoms
• Majority rule followed with respect given for minority views
• 2 types: Parliamentary, Presidential
Parliamentary Democracy
• Voters elect legislature (parliament)• Legislature chooses chief executive, the prime
minister• Prime Minister and Chief Ministers are
members of Parliament• They can be removed by a majority of
parliament at any time• Most of world’s democracies are under this
system• Great Britain
Canada, India, Turkey and the United Kingdom are just a few examples of parliamentary democracies
Presidential Democracy
• A separation of powers exists between branches of government
• Voters elect each separately• Each branch is independent and checks the
other’s powers• United States
Brazil, France, Nigeria and the United States are just a few examples of presidential democracies
• You may have noticed that some nations have appeared in more than one category of the basic systems of government (or subsystems)…
• It is important to understand that NO NATION fits perfectly into a textbook definition of a specific government system; governments can have at least partial resemblance to a variety of government systems!
ATTENTION!
Divine Right
• Meaning, the will of god