Political Systems Democracy Monarchy Oligarchy Theocracy Republic

Democracy Direct Representative A system of government where power is shared by all the people. There are two kinds of democracies: Direct Representative

Direct Representative All citizens participate in government. There are no representatives: citizens vote on everything! All citizens can create public policy if they want to. Like direct democracy, all citizens participate in government. People elect representatives who vote on laws for citizens. Representatives are also usually held responsible to a constitution.

Leaders usually gain their power because their parents were rulers, too. Rule by kings, queens, princes and princesses and other names are all monarchs.

These people might be distinguished by royalty, wealth, family ties, education, corporate, religious or military control. Such states are often controlled by a few prominent families who typically pass their influence from one generation to the next.

Republic a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch.

Theocracy “Theo” means “God” in Greek, so if a government is theocratic, it is ruled by a “higher power.” Leaders are usually religious leaders and society uses religious laws to settle its disputes.