 Governments-organizations that set up and enforce laws  State-a region that shares a common government  City states-small city centered states  Began in Asia 5,000 years ago  Empires-states containing several countries  Military leaders conquered large areas  Nation states-states that are independent  Around 1500 European rulers founded  Dependencies-regions that belong to another state  Became independent when they broke away from European rulers

 All adults take part in decisions  Worked because earliest Govs. were made up of small groups of people  Ex. Can be seen today in town meetings

 Communities banded together into larger groups  Members have a say but chiefs/elders make final decision  Decisions based on customs/beliefs

 King/Queen rule with complete control  Common 200 years ago  Few today  Power is inherited EX. Europe in the past, Saudi Arabia, Brunei Louis XIV, known as Louis the Great was a monarch who ruled as King of France. He was one of the most powerful rulers in French history, and was the longest- reigning king in French history and in European history, reigning for 72 years and 110 days.King of Francelongest- reigning king

 One person rules with total power and is not a king/queen  Power is not inherited, it is seized  Use violence to stay in power, deny rights  Ex. Cuba, North Korea

 Governments controlled by a small group of people  Usually a political party, military group, or religious group  Ex. China, Burma, Iran

 Power of the king/queen is limited by law  Have constitutions-sets of laws that limit Gov. power  King/queen usually just a symbol  Ex. UK, Netherlands, Kuwait His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al- Jaber Al-Sabah. The Al-Sabah family have ruled Kuwait since From 1899 to 1961 Kuwait was a protectorate of the British Empire. Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy with the oldest directly elected parliament in the Persian Gulf.

 Govs. run by representatives that people choose  People indirectly hold power  Elect others to make decisions  Can choose to not reelect that person  Ex. USA, Canada, India

 Nations make agreements to work together in an alliance  Members of an alliance are called allies  NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)-agree to defend any fellow member attacked  Economic purposes  EU (European Union)-promotes economic unity between nations  International Relations  UN (United nations)-To resolve disputes and promote peace  Special purposes  UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund)-promoted rights and well-being of children