World Political Systems Types of Governments

Terms to Know Country/State- An area of land with a distinct political border. Country/State- An area of land with a distinct political border. Sovereignty- Free & independent state that establishes its own policies and determines its own course of action. Sovereignty- Free & independent state that establishes its own policies and determines its own course of action. Government Structures- Unitary, Federation, and Confederation. Government Structures- Unitary, Federation, and Confederation.

Unitary System Strong central government. Local government has little power. All decisions of state are at the national level. Dictatorships; Totalitarian regimes.

Federation National governments and local governments share the power. National governments and local governments share the power. Usually has more than one branch of government. Usually has more than one branch of government.

Confederation Local government has most of the political power. National government has little power or responsibility.

Monarchy Rule by royal family. Rule by royal family. Usually a king or queen. Usually a king or queen. Monarchy can coincide (mix) with other forms of government. Monarchy can coincide (mix) with other forms of government.

Democracy/Republic People have the political power. Republic is a representative democracy; means people elect leaders that make decisions for them. Direct Democracy- people vote directly on every issue.

Theocracy Ruled by religious beliefs. Ruled by religious beliefs. Religion laws are the social laws. Religion laws are the social laws. Religious figures are the leaders of the state. Religious figures are the leaders of the state.

Oligarchy Ruled by a few (small group) of people. These people are usually the wealthy and/or the popular.

Aristocracy Rule by the rich or the wealthy landowners. Rule by the rich or the wealthy landowners. They tend to make policies that benefit themselves and people like them. They tend to make policies that benefit themselves and people like them.