Types of Government

Authoritarian Governments

Definition: A gov’t ruled by one or few people.

Characteristics of Authoritarian

Elections do not offer choice Citizens rights are NOT guaranteed Force is used to keep the peace Unlimited government, do whatever they

want

Types of Authoritarian Government

1. Autocracy: Rule by one

a. Absolute Monarchy- King and Queen has total control over the country

b. Dictatorship (Totalitarian)- Has total control, usually takes power and uses force to keep it

2. Oligarchy: Rule by few

Democracy

Definition: Rule by the people, citizens rights are protected

Characteristics of Democracy

Rule of law: everyone must follow the law

Federalism: power is divided into different levels

Popular sovereignty: power comes from people through voting

Equality of all persons under the lawMajority rule with minority rights

protected Individual rights and freedomsLimited government

Direct vs. Representative DemocracyDirect: Presidential Gov’t: (U.S.A)

A gov’t where all citizens meet

and vote on laws for the nation

Parliamentary Gov’t: (England)

Representative:

People elect representatives to Constitutional Monarchy

Conduct gov’t (make laws) for

a nation

Types of Representative Democracies

Presidential:3 BranchesVoters elect law making (legislative)

branch – CongressVoters elect President (executive branch) Judicial branch – Court system, seen in

the U.S.

Types of Representative Democracies

Parliament: 3 Branches Voters elect PART of law making (legislative)

branch then voters choose its executive leader (Prime Minister) from among its own members

Therefore, the people do not choose their executive (unlike Presidential system)

Judicial branch – court system seen in Great Britain

Presidential vs Parliament Review

Category: Authoritarian Democracy

Executive

Legislative

Judicial

Where it is seen:

Authoritarian vs Democracy Review

Category: Authoritarian Democracy

Rights

Rule of Law

Amount of power

How leaders are chosen

Examples of types:

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