Some Types of Governments

Anarchy

• Rule by individual responsibility.

• Anarchy is a situation where there is no government. This can happen after a civil war when a government has been destroyed and rival groups are fighting to take its place. No one is in charge.

• Anarchists are people who believe that government is a bad thing. Anarchists believe that government stops people organizing their own lives.

Some Types of Governments

Aristocracy • An aristocracy is rule by the

aristocrats who gain power by hereditary.

• Aristocrats are typically wealthy, educated people. Today, typically, the term "aristocracy" is used negatively to accuse a republic of being dominated by rich people, such as saying, "The United States has become an aristocracy."

Some Types of Governments

Capitalist

• Capitalism is “free-market economy.” In a free-market country, people can own their own businesses and property. People can also buy services such as healthcare.

• NOTE: Most capitalist governments provide some degree of services such as education, health and welfare.

Some Types of Governments

Communism

• Technically, communism is an economic system and NOT a political process.

• In a communist country, the economy is centrally controlled, the state owns ALL industrial activity, and the state provides ALL services to all citizens.

• Cuba is a communist country.

Some Types of Governments

Democracy

• Rule by the people.

• In a democracy, the government is elected by the people in a fair and competitive election AND the citizens have basic rights and freedoms.

• Since citizens are involved in the decision-making, there is a sense of control and support.

• Decision-making can be costly and time consuming if all citizen’s input is considered.

Some Types of Governments

Dictatorship

• This is a country ruled by a single leader (i.e., one person rule). The leader has not been elected, controls or rules everything, and may use force to keep control.

• In a military dictatorship, the army is in control

• Citizens have no or little input to decisions, and they have very limited rights. Thus, the needs of the citizens may be neglected.

• Fidel Castro in Cuba is a dictatorship.

Some Types of Governments

Federal Government

• In a federal government system, a central government shares power with a number of small local governments.

• Canada has a federal government.

Some Types of Governments

Monarchy

• A monarchy has a king or queen.

• In traditional monarchies, the monarch has absolute power.

• In a constitutional monarchy, like the United Kingdom and Canada, a democratic government limits the monarch's control.

Some Types of Governments

Oligarchy

• A small group controls power.

• While the needs of the citizens may not be considered in a decision, the process ensures a decision may be made quickly.

Some Types of Governments

Republic

• A republic is a country that does not have a monarch.

• The head of the country is usually an elected president.

Some Types of Governments

Revolutionary Government

• If a government is overthrown by force, the new ruling group is sometimes called a revolutionary government.

Some Types of Governments

Socialist State

• The state owns and controls most activities for the equal good of all people.

• The state owns SOME industries and provides MOST services, but citizens have some economic choice.

• Norway is a socialist government.

Some Types of Governments

Theocracy

• A government ruled by or subject to religious authority.

• Iran and Taliban-ruled Afghanistan would be a theocracy.

Some Types of Governments

Transitional

• A country that is changing from one type of government to another has a transitional government. For example, a dictatorship may turn into a democracy after the dictator dies. NOTE: The change between governments can take several years.