Political Systems

Extra vocab:Abdication: Resign

Coup d'état- change of government illegally or by force

Absolute MonarchiesA system of government headed by a

king/queen, who is the only source of power, controlling all functions of the state. No constitution, or legally organized oppositionBelieve in Divine Right of Kings

Divine Right of Kings- they were chosen by God to rule the country

Power through birth/marriage

Length of rule- death, overthrow, abdication

Absolute Monarchs Past and Present

Fredrick William I

Qatar: Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani

Constitutional MonarchiesA system of government headed by a monarch

whose powers are defined/limited

Responsibilities are spelled out in laws, constitutions, or by customs.

Monarchs today are figureheads

Length of rule- King/Queen rule until death.Prime ministers length in office ends at the end of

their term in office or until he is removed

People choose parliament

Ex. United Kingdom

Constitutional ManarchsQueen Elizabeth the IIof England (Figure Head) England Prime Minister:

David Cameron

Parliamentary Democracies

a political system in which the political party with the largest representation in the legislature (parliament) chooses the leader (prime minister, premier, or chancellor) from their party

Parties with less representation still have an important role. Their job is to challenge the majority in parliament and the leader.

Length of rule- End of term, or when the majority of parliament no longer believes in, or loses confidence in, the leader, a new leader is chosen.

People Choose Parliament

Parliamentary Democracies

Prime Minister TUILA'EPA Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi(SAMOA)

Prime Minister Morgan TSVANGIRA (ZIMBABWE)

Presidential DemocraciesA system of government characterized by a

separation of powers between branches of government such as the United States.Checks and balances- Think rock paper scissors

between the three branches of government. prevents one branch or person from have all the power.

Length of rule- end of termPeople vote for leader.

DictatorshipsA system of government in which those who rule

have absolute power (not restricted by a constitution or laws).

usually acquire and maintain authority by force

Length of rule- Death, or Coup

Stay in power by silencing their opposition

People have no say in who their leader is

Dictators Past and PresentSaddam Hussein

TheocraciesA system of government headed by one or more

religious leaders who claim to rule by divine authority.

God is the head of the country

Laws often come from religious law

Rule until death or overthrow (revolution)