1 of 11

World Studies - Forms of Government Notes�

2 of 11

What is Government?

  • A government is the system or structure by which a state or community governs, or rules, itself.
  • A government is made up of those people who have authority (power) over others.

3 of 11

Anarchy

  • Anarchy is the absence of government. No one rules or has power.

4 of 11

Monarchy

  • Monarchy is rule by a king or a queen. If the king or queen has total power, it is known as an absolute monarchy.

5 of 11

Limited Monarchy

  • A government where the king or queen share power with nobles or a law-making group such as parliament. The monarch’s power is limited.

6 of 11

Dictatorship

  • A government under the rule of someone (not a king or queen) who has absolute authority. They use violence and fear to keep order.

7 of 11

Oligarchy

  • A government in which a small group holds political power. They are usually wealthy elites or military leaders.

8 of 11

Theocracy

  • A government in which the ruler is both the religious and political leader.

9 of 11

Democracy

  • A government where the citizens have political power. A government by the people, of the people, and for the people.

​

  • There are two types of democracy: Direct democracy, and republics.

10 of 11

Direct Democracy

  • A government in which citizens participate directly in political decisions. It only works with a small group of people.

11 of 11

Republic (representative democracy)

  • A government in which the power lies with the citizens who for elect people to represent them.
  • The citizens rule indirectly through their representatives.
  • When direct democracies grow too large, they become representative democracies.