FORMS OF GOVERNMENT

The Variety of Ways Nations of the World Are

Governed

AUTOCRACY

Government ruled by an individual with absolute

power; no checks

Also called despotism; ruler called a despot.

An Absolute Monarchy is a more modern term• Saudi Arabia and Malaysia are absolute monarchies

CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY

King and/or Queen rules but shares power with

another body.

Rules and laws are described under a constitution.• England• Canada• Belgium• Jordan• Kuwait• And many more…….

THEOCRACY

Nation ruled by religious leader(s)

Term means “rule of god” in Greek

Laws derived from religious doctrine, e.g. the

Bible, the Koran • Iran

OLIGARCHY

Power of government lies with a few prominent

citizens, typically families who pass that power down

to ancestors.• No real modern examples

CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY

Rules and laws determined by a constitution and

people have some degree of power

United States can be classified as this but is more

accurately defined a constitutional republic• A democracy is direct rule by the people• In a republic, people choose representatives to rule