Types of Governments Autocracy----rule by one *Dictatorship—totalitarian ( authoritarian) *Monarchy --absolute --constitutional Aristocracy: rule by “the best” (Plato), most educated --most often means “upper class” --most often inherited wealth --House of Lords (England) --(noblesse oblige) --Since French Revolution, “bad” meaning

Oligarchy--rule by a few, in their own self-interest *Ancient Sparta, ruled by the warrior “helots,” who owned the land, had slaves *Theocracy--religion/government combined --Iran today --intolerant of others’ beliefs *Plutocracy--rule by the rich *Communist parties

Hierarchy: a structured class system Class can be based on wealth, position (the medieval Church), politics (Nazis and Communists), race (Hutus vs. the Tutsis in Rwanda in the 1990s), etc…. --occurs alongside Oligarchies, theocracies, monarchies, and autocracies --antithetical to modern Democratic principles, but NOT to Ancient Republics and Democracies

Patriarchy: system in which males have the authority --can be a monarchy, democracy, etc. --US until 1920 Matriarchy: system in which females have the authority --Iroquois League --Hillary Clinton, Barbara Boxer, Diane Feinstein?-- --the Future?

Democracy “Demos” =people, “Kratia” =rule --“rule by the people” ….but which people? *Begins in ancient Athens, which also had slavery Direct Democracy --all male “citizens” 21 or over speak, vote for themselves --Demosthenes--orator able to sway the people with impassioned speeches, have them vote quickly Republican Democracy— representatives elected to speak for the people. *Rome----the Senate

Parliamentary----(oldest). people elect representatives Parliamentary----(oldest) people elect representatives to the Legislative branch, the majority party (or a coalition) chooses the head of Government. Presidential----People elect the Legislative branch; Head of Government (President, Chief Executive) chosen separately.

Anarchy Belief that all existing governmental authority should be abolished and replaced by free cooperation among individuals. Sometimes used to refer to any state of chaos or lawlessness.