Grade 7 Social Studies Online Presentation Types of Governments Grade 7 Social Studies Online Presentation

The Different Types of Government There are several different types of governments-democracy, autocracy, oligarchy, monarchy, dictatorship, and a theocracy).

Democracy In a democracy, the government is elected by the people. Everyone who is eligible to vote has a chance to have their say over who runs the country. It is distinct from governments controlled by a particular social class or group (aristocracy; oligarchy) or by a single person (despotism; dictatorship; monarchy). A democracy is determined either directly or through elected representatives.

There are Two Kinds of Democracies A Parliamentary Democracy And a Presidential Democracy

A Parliamentary Democracy A system of government in which a cabinet is composed of members of the legislature which has the power. May have a prime minister elected to the legislature.

Parliamentary Democracy United Kingdom Government in which members of an executive branch(the cabinet and its leader-a prime minister, premier, or chancellor) are nominated to their positions by a legislature or parliament, and are directly responsible to it. This type of government can be dissolved at will by the parliament if it can no longer function.

A Presidential Democracy A system of government in which the president is constitutionally independent of the legislature. The executive branch exists separately from the legislature(to which is it generally not accountable).

Autocracy Government by a single person having unlimited power; via despotism (domination through threat of punishment and violence). The citizens have a limited, if any, role in the government.

Autocracy The oldest form of government. One of the most common forms of government. Maintains power through inheritance or ruthless use of military and police power.

Forms of Autocracy include… A Dictatorship Absolute Monarchies

Dictatorship A country ruled by a single leader. The ideas of this single leader are glorified. The leader has not been elected and may use force to keep control. In a military dictatorship, the army is in control.

Dictatorship The government tries to control all aspects of social and economic life. The government is not responsible to the people. People lack the power to limit their rulers. Examples of dictators include: Adolf Hitler, Saddam Hussein, Joseph Stalin

Dictatorships Sudan and Cuba A form of government in which a ruler or small group has absolute power. It is not restricted by a constitution or laws.

Absolute Monarchy A king, queen, or emperor, exercises the supreme powers of government/unlimited power. The position is usually inherited. People lack the power to limit their rulers. Absolute monarchies are rare today but from the 1400s to the 1700s, they ruled most of Western Europe. Example-Saudi Arabia

Constitutional Monarchy A monarchy has a king, queen, emperor or empress. The ruling position can be passed on to the ruler’s heirs. In some traditional monarchies, the monarch has absolute power. But a constitutional monarchy, like the UK, also has a democratic government that limits the monarch's control.

Constitutional Monarchy Japan and Canada A system of government in which a monarch is guided by a constitution whereby his/her rights, duties, and responsibilities are spelled out in written law or by custom.

Oligarchy It is governed by a few-such as a small clan or a clique. Sometimes a small group exercises control for corrupt and selfish purposes. The citizens have a very limited role.

Oligarchy The group gets its power from military power, social power, wealth, religion, or a combination. Political opposition is usually suppressed-sometimes violently. Examples-Communist countries such as China. Leaders in the party and armed forces control the government.

Theocracy A form of government in which a Deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler, but the Deity’s laws are interpreted by religious authorities(bishops, mullahs, etc.) A government subject to religious authority.

Citizen Participation in an Autocracy and a Oligarchy Sometimes rulers claim they rule for the people. In reality, the people have very little say in both types of government. For example, they may hold elections with only one candidate or control the results in various ways. Even when these governments have a legislature or natural assembly, they often only approve decisions made by the leaders.

How Governments Determine Citizens Participation High Participation High Participation High Participation Low or No Participation Low or No Participation Low or No Participation Autocratic Oligarchic Democracy Government Power Government Power Select Citizen Participation Government Power Citizen Participation General Citizen Participation Citizen Participation

Anarchy Anarchy is a situation where there is no government. This can happen after a civil war in a country, when a government has been destroyed and rival groups are fighting to take its place. Anarchists are people who believe that government is a bad thing in that it stops people organizing their own lives.

Capitalist In a capitalist or free-market country, people can own their own businesses and property. People can also buy services for private use, such as healthcare. But most capitalist governments also provide their own education, health and welfare services.

Communist In a communist country, the government owns property such as businesses and farms. It provides its people's healthcare, education and welfare.

Communist China A system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single-often authoritarian-party holds power. State controls are imposed with the elimination of private ownership of property or capital while claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people(i.e. a classless society)

Republic A republic is a country that has no monarch. The head of the country is usually an elected president.

Republican Systems Kenya and South Africa A representative democracy in which the people’s elected deputies(representatives), not the people themselves, vote on legislation.

Federal Republic India, Brazil, Mexico A state in which the powers of the central government are restricted and in which the component parts(states, colonies or provinces) retain a degree of self government Ultimate sovereign power rests with the voters who choose their governmental officials.

Revolutionary If a government is overthrown by force, the new ruling group is sometimes called a revolutionary government.

Totalitarian This is a country with only one political party. People are forced to do what the government tells them and may also be prevented from leaving the country.

Ready for a quiz? Play Government Squares

_________ ______ Inspired by Mark E. Damon A Game of X’s and O’s

Starring: Justin Time Paige Turner Hazel Nutt Pearly White Skip Roper 1 2 3 4 5 5 6 Starring: Justin Time Paige Turner Hazel Nutt Pearly White Skip Roper Al Beback 7 Dr. E. Ville Maude L.T. Ford Carrie Oki 8 9

1 2 3 X 4 5 6 O 7 8 9 Scoreboard Click Here if X Wins Click Here if O Wins

1 This form of government is elected by the people and everyone is eligible to vote.

1 Democracy Home

2 A government ruled by a king, queen, emperor or empress.

2 Monarchy Home

3 A country ruled by a single leader. The leader has not been elected and may use force to keep control.

3 Dictatorship Home

4 Government by a single person having unlimited power; despotism (domination through threat of punishment and violence).

4 Autocracy Home

5 The government owns property such as businesses and farms and provides its people's healthcare, education and welfare.

5 Communism Home

6 A situation where there is no government.

6 Anarchy Home

7 The ruling group that forms when a government is overthrown by force.

7 Revolutionary Home

8 A government in which a few people such as a dominant clan or clique have power.

8 Oligarchy Home

9 A country that has no monarch, but is headed by an elected president or official is a ________.

9 Republic Home

X CONGRATULATIONS! CONGRATULATIONS! CONGRATULATIONS!

O CONGRATULATIONS! CONGRATULATIONS! CONGRATULATIONS!

Resources The Democracy Project BBC Types of Government World Population Under Various Governments Dictator for A Day Types of Governments