Type of Govt.

Head of State

Decision  Makers

Source of Power & How Acquired

Length of Rule

Political Freedoms Determined by:

Military  Dictatorship

Dictator  (Military Officer)

Dictator

Power taken by Military  thru a "Coup D'Etat"

Death or  Overthrow  (by another  Coup D'Etat)

Dictator

Absolute  Monarchy

King/Queen

King/Queen

Divine right through  birth or lineage

Death, Overthrow  or Abdication

King/Queen

Limited  Monarchy

King/Queen or  Prime Minister

King/Queen &  Representative Group  (usually Parliament)

Divine Right Through  Birth and a Constitution  through  election

Death, Overthrow,  Abdication or  End of Term

Bill of Rights  or other  Limiting  Documents

Oligarchy

Small group of  Leaders

Small group of  Leaders

Intelligence and/or  Wealth thru Coalition  or Consensus

Death or  Overthrow

Oligarchs

Representative Democracy (Republic)

President

President and  Representative Group

A Constitution thru  Elections

End of Term

Bill of Rights or  Other Limiting  Documents

Type of Govt.

Head of State

Decision  Makers

  Source of Power & How Acquired

Length of Rule

Political Freedoms Determined by:

Direct  Democracy

N/A

All  Citizens

All Citizens  thru Elections and  Direct Participation

N/A

All Citizens

Anarchy

N/A

N/A

No one has power over  anyone else

Ends when  a Government is  Established

Each Individual  (Can do anything  "except organize)

Theocracy

Religious Leader

Religious Leader(s)  of State Established  Religion

Church and State  leadership and  decisionmaking are  combined

 When religious  and/or political leadership is overthrown  or changes.

Church leaders and political leaders.

Totalitarian

Totalitarian  leader or group  of totalitarian  leaders

Totalitarian  leader or group  of totalitarian  leaders

Government has  total control over  the people and control  ALL aspects of daily  life.

When government  is Overthrown

State exercises  total control over  the people and  actively monitors  and determines ALL  aspects of daily life.